India is my country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage. India is a free country. But how was it made so?

We all know about thousands of legends who fought for Indian freedom, like Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Nehru and Tagore. But do you know about a person who played a very important role in the Indian Freedom Struggle? Someone who must never be forgotten but is not remembered by many people? His name was Subhash Chandra Bose, also known as Netaji.

Bose was born on 23rd January, 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa. He was the ninth among his fourteen siblings, but still he achieved a great name and education when he grew up. Once, he assaulted his professor for his anti-Indian comments. He was therefore expelled and thus his patriotic respect came to light. He then worked in the Indian Civil Service in Britain but resigned in 1921 because he thought that working in Britain would mean working for the British. Such was his pride to be an Indian.

So he came back to his own motherland, started the newspaper Swaraj and took charge of publicity for the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee. In 1923, Bose was elected as the President of ‘All India Youth Congress’ and also the Secretary of Bengal State Congress. He worked as the CEO of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation in 1924.

In 1927, Bose became general secretary of the Congress party and worked with Jawaharlal Nehru for independence. He struggled for Indian freedom along with his officers. His most memorable role was as General Officer Commanding (GOC) Congress Volunteer Corps in 1928. He became Mayor of Calcutta in 1930.

One of the major achievements of Netaji was that he revived the Indian National Army, also known the Azad Hind Fauj. It was in 1941, that Subhash Chandra Bose suddenly disappeared. People thought that he was scared or probably dead. He was found in Kabul (now in Afghanistan), only to disappear once again. In November 1941, his broadcast from German radio sent shocked the British and awoke the Indian masses who realized that their leader was working on a master plan to free their motherland. He worked with the German people and

Although it was believed that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose died in a plane crash, his body was never recovered. There have been many theories put forward regarding his disappearance. Some say that he was taken to a hospital and died there after falling into a coma. The great “forgotten hero’s” ashes are said to be kept in the Renkoji Temple, Tokyo.

Though from a poor family of fourteen children, Netaji rose slowly to a most respected position in the history and present state of India. From a mere patriotic student, he became the President of AIYC, then the Secretary of BSC, the CEO of a Municipal Corporation, the Mayor of Calcutta and then an Indian freedom fighter.

The lesson we learn from the life of this hero is, whatever be the circumstances, “where there is a will there is a way”. But some may think that out of the many people who struggled for freedom, only some are the ones who deserve praise. No, we also learn other important lessons from the Freedom Struggle, “Hardwork is the only way to achieve others’ respect and your destiny” and “Only together does everyone achieve more”. The unity our people showed while fighting against the British is what helps us to stand with a salute in front of our National Flag on every August 15th.

Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!