New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the India Gate to commemorate the legendary freedom fighter’s 125th birth anniversary which will also kick start the Republic Day celebrations in the country.
Netaji’s birth anniversary is being celebrated as Parakram Diwas in the nation.
Speaking at the event, PM Narendra Modi said Netaji Bose had infused in us the confidence of having a free and sovereign India. He had told the British rulers with pride, self-confidence, and bravery that he will not take the “alms” of freedom but will achieve it, PM Modi added.
“This is a historic day, a historic programme, at a historic location The statue is a fitting tribute to his indelible contribution to our nation,” the Prime Minister said.
“It will remind democratic institutions, current and coming generations of their duties, inspire them,” he added.
The Prime Minister mentioned that “Netaji used to say ‘Never lose faith in the dream of independent India, there is no power in the world that can shake India.’ Today we have a goal to fulfill the dreams of an independent India. We have a target to build a new India before the 100th year of independence, 2047.”
PM Modi said “it was unfortunate that after independence, along with the culture of the country, work was done to erase contribution of many great personalities. Freedom struggle involved the penance of lakhs of countrymen, but efforts were made to limit their history as well.”
”But today, after decades of independence, the country is correcting those mistakes,” he added, as quoted by ANI.
The ruling BJP has often accused Congress of not giving due credit to many freedom fighters, including revolutionaries, during its rule at Centre.
Meanwhile, speaking at the inaugural event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: “This is not just a granite statue but a befitting tribute to the legendary Netaji, who gave everything for India’s freedom.”
Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar
Following the unveiling of the statue, PM Modi conferred the Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. The award honours the contributions made by individuals and organisations in the field of disaster management.
The award is accompanied by a Rs 51 lakh cash prize and a certificate for the organisations, and a Rs 5 lakh cash prize and certificate for individuals.
PM Modi said disaster management was not accorded adequate importance, and the matter was with the agriculture department because it dealt with crises like floods.
The 2001 Gujarat earthquake changed the meaning of disaster management, he said, adding that the then central government enacted a law on the lines of the Gujarat State Disaster Management Act brought in by the state in 2003 to deal with such crisis. Narendra Modi was then the state's chief minister.
The Prime Minister asserted that his government at the Union government prioritised disaster management.
“We have laid emphasis on reform along with relief, rescue, and rehabilitation,” he said.
“We strengthened, modernized, expanded the NDRF across the country. From space technology to planning and management, best possible practices have been adopted,” he added.
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About The Hologram Statue
Earlier in the day, PM Modi remembered Netaji by writing: “I bow to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his Jayanti. Every Indian is proud of his monumental contribution to our nation.”
The Prime Minister also paid his tribute to the legendary freedom fighter in the Central Hall of Parliament House.
According to the PMO, the hologram statue is powered by a 30,000 lumens 4K projector. An invisible, high gain, 90 per cent transparent holographic screen has been erected in such a way so that it is not visible to visitors. The 3D image of Netaji is projected on it to create the effect of a hologram. The size of the hologram statue is 28 feet in height and 6 feet in width.
(With Inputs From Agencies)