Silchar: The 83rd Foundation Day of the Azad Hind Government was observed in Silchar on Tuesday with deep respect and patriotic fervour. The Netaji Subhas Foundation organised the event at its temporary office in Ambicapatty.

The programme began at 10.30 a.m. with the hoisting of the Azad Hind flag by the Foundation’s president, noted writer and Netaji researcher Nihar Ranjan Paul. Members of the Foundation then paid floral tributes to the portrait of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, honouring his vision and leadership in India’s freedom struggle.

An interactive session followed, chaired by Nihar Ranjan Paul, with a welcome address from general secretary Pranab Roy Choudhury.

In his address, Paul highlighted that through the Indian National Army (INA), Netaji brought global recognition to the role of Bengalis in India’s fight for freedom. “The flag of freedom was first raised in his hands,” he said.

Foundation working president Dr. Biswatosh Choudhury read out the Azad Hind Government’s original declaration, recalling how Rashbehari Bose first conceived the idea of a provisional government, which Netaji later shaped into a unified front of freedom fighters. “It was through this effort that India’s first independent government came into being,” he said.

Vice president Sadhan Purkayastha spoke about the need to share the life and ideals of Netaji more widely among the youth.

Sunil Roy, president of the Barak Valley unit of the Matri Bhasha Suraksha Samiti, emphasized that Netaji’s courage and sacrifice should continue to inspire future generations to preserve the spirit of true independence.

Among those present were Ashok Deb, Mihir Nandi, Debashish Choudhury, and several other admirers of Netaji.

The event also featured a cultural segment of patriotic songs and performances. Aparajita Das, Atasi Chakraborty, Dibakar Das, Shanti Kumar Bhattacharjee, and Dulali Ganguly presented stirring INA songs, while Janantika Bhattacharjee recited a poem on Netaji’s life, accompanied on the tabla by Santosh Chanda. The programme was conducted by Janantika Bhattacharjee.

The three-hour observance ended with a strong sense of pride and emotion, reviving the memory of a historic milestone—the formation of the Azad Hind Government under Netaji’s leadership.

Prominent attendees included Nikhil Paul (secretary, Rupam Cultural Organisation), Ashok Kumar Dev, Bappi Roy, Bidyut Dev, Narendra Das, Siddhartha Banik, Bhaskar Das, Krishna Das, and Mousumi Biswas, among others.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally