Silchar: A preparatory meeting for the upcoming installation of a new statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Rangirkhari was held on Tuesday evening at Ashirwad Marriage Hall at Circuit House Road, adjacent to Silchar DSA. The meeting was convened by the Netaji Murti Nabanirman O Sthapana Committee, Silchar, which has undertaken the initiative as a tribute to the legendary freedom fighter’s enduring legacy.

The statue is scheduled to be inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 24, marking a two-day event expected to witness enthusiastic public participation.

The meeting was graced by several dignitaries, including the committee convener and Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty, Minister Kaushik Rai, Silchar MP Parimal Suklabaidya, Assam University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant, Swami Sadhanananda Ji Maharaj of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Swami Chitswarupananda Ji Maharaj, Swami Ganadhishananda Ji Maharaj, Secretary of Silchar Ramakrishna Mission, and Dr. Bhaskar Gupta, Principal of Silchar Medical College and Hospital.

Also present were noted personalities such as poet and journalist Atin Das, Prof. Dr. Amalendu Bhattacharjee, Nihar Ranjan Paul, Uttam Kumar Saha (committee co-convener), Taimur Raja Chowdhury, editor of Samayik Prasanga, poets Mahua Choudhury and Jaya Deb, social worker Asit Dutta, Biswanath Bhattacharjee, BJP leader Bimalendu Roy, NCC Group Commanders Satyaban Singh and Dhan Bahadur, committee treasurer Rudra Narayan Gupta, Rumlee Bhattacharjee, and others.

Addressing the gathering, Swami Ganadhishananda commended the committee’s efforts and reflected on Netaji’s teachings, calling it a proud moment for Silchar. Swami Sadhanananda emphasized the timeless relevance of Netaji’s ideals and suggested renaming Rangirkhari Point as “Netaji Chowk,” while also underscoring the need for cleanliness at the installation site.

Parimal Suklabaidya hailed the reinstallation drive as a “historic step” and lauded the leadership of Dipayan Chakraborty. He urged citizens to attend the inaugural function in large numbers and praised the community spirit behind the initiative.

Minister Kaushik Rai described the project as a fitting homage to Netaji and announced a donation of ₹5 lakh towards the statue’s reinstallation.

Committee treasurer Rudra Narayan Gupta informed that the committee was formed in 2023 and has maintained transparency in financial dealings, with all donations routed through banking channels. He also announced an upcoming essay competition on Netaji’s legacy for students across Barak Valley.

In his speech, Dipayan Chakraborty reiterated the long-standing demand for declassification of Netaji-related files and recalled how Prime Minister Narendra Modi facilitated the release of over 300 such files, now accessible at the National Archives of India. He highlighted various initiatives taken by the present government to honour Netaji and invited all citizens to the August 24 ceremony.

Veteran journalist Atin Das expressed happiness at the enthusiastic turnout and urged people to participate in the upcoming event. “It is our duty to contribute something meaningful to the nation,” he said, while appreciating Chakraborty’s initiative.

Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant spoke on Netaji’s academic brilliance and his sense of dignity and self-respect. The meeting proceedings were conducted by Uttam Kumar Saha, while Engineer Saugata Shome gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining the project. Nihar Ranjan Paul delivered the vote of thanks.

With preparations now in their final stages, Silchar is gearing up for a historic day as Netaji’s legacy is set to be re-immortalised at Rangirkhari.