Warora mayor Archana Thakre hoists flag on 83rd founding day of Azad Hind Fauj

The Chandrapur district unit of the Jai Hind Sainik Sanstha celebrated the 83rd founding anniversary of the Azad Hind Fauj at Shahid Yogesh Dahule Chowk in Warora. Warora Municipal Council president Archana Ashish Thakre hoisted the flag and also presided over the programme.

The dignitaries began by lighting a lamp and offering floral tributes to a portrait of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. After the flag hoisting, a salute was given to Netaji, and the programme opened with the national song and the state song.

On the dais were Suresh Bobhate, district president of the ex-servicemen's association; ex-serviceman Manoj Jivtode; Lt. Dr Sandeep Parkhi, associate NCC officer at Anand Niketan College; and Rajendra Mardane, Chandrapur district president of the Jai Hind Sainik Sanstha.

In her address, Thakre reviewed Netaji's fiery patriotism and his life of struggle. She said the soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj gave themselves fully to the country's freedom under Netaji's leadership. Their bravery, sacrifice and devotion to the country continue to inspire the younger generation, she said. "It is my good fortune that through the Jai Hind Sainik Sanstha I got the honour of hoisting the flag on the 83rd founding day of the Azad Hind Fauj. I will never forget this moment," she said.

Lt. Dr Parkhi spoke on Netaji's life and work. Netaji's slogan "Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhein aazadi dunga!" was a call to give everything for India's freedom, he said. Answering that call, the soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj fought for independence, and the saga of their bravery and sacrifice will remain immortal in Indian history, he said. Calling the organisation's initiative, which recalls Netaji's thoughts and awakens patriotism in the new generation, commendable, he also read out a poem he had written on the organisation.

Bobhate said the programme organised by the Jai Hind Sainik Sanstha would inspire all Indians. Such programmes should be held to strengthen the feeling of patriotism, he said. He also noted that on the 75th founding day of the Azad Hind Fauj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the flag at the Red Fort in Delhi.

In his introductory address, Mardane spoke of the historical significance of the founding day. "Today is not merely the day of the founding of a historic organisation, but a day that recalls the bravery, sacrifice and patriotism of the heroes who gave up everything for India's freedom," he said.

Mardane also put forward some demands of the organisation. Netaji's ashes are said to be at the Renkoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo. He demanded that the Government of India bring the ashes to India and conduct a DNA test to establish whether they are genuine. He also demanded that celebrating Netaji's birth anniversary be made mandatory in all schools and colleges. In addition, he said, 21 October, the founding day of the Azad Hind Fauj, should be marked every year with a flag hoisting by the Prime Minister at the Red Fort in Delhi.

Thakre, Jivtode, Bobhate and Lt. Dr Parkhi were felicitated with bouquets, shawls, mementos and books. People who have made notable contributions in various fields were also honoured. They included former principal Balwant Shelvatkar, Vijay Pise, former teacher Laxman Parate, farmer Kishor Deode, social workers Chhotubhai Shaikh, Bandu Deulkar and Rahul Deode, entrepreneurs Madhusudan Tipale and Tulshidas Lanjewar, and businessman Satish Sarda.

The programme was organised under the guidance of the organisation's national patron Chandramohan Bose, national president Punjabrao Mudhane and national secretary Janardan Jangle. Dr Pravin Mudholkar conducted the proceedings, and taluka president Prakash Pohane proposed the vote of thanks. District vice-president Sagar Kohale, office-bearers Vijay Vaidya, Gajanan Umre and Ashok Bawane, social workers Sanju Ram and Tushar Mardane, along with office-bearers, members and residents of the organisation, were present.