Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit West Bengal on January 23 to take part in birthday celebrations of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. His birthday will henceforth be celebrated across the country as “Parakram Diwas”, Union Ministry of Culture said on Tuesday.
“In order to honour and remember Netaji’s indomitable spirit and self service to the nation, Government of India has decided to celebrate his birthday on the day of January every year as ‘Parakram Diwas’ to inspire people of this country,” according to the statement issued by the ministry.
Welcoming the government decision, Netaji’s grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose said it would have been appropriate if January 23 were to be declared “Deshprem Diwas”.
Two grand functions will be held on January 23 at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata and at National Library. PM Modi may attend one or both the functions but no political programmes have been scheduled for him. He may, however, meet some of the state BJP leaders during his visit.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to hold a “padyatra” on the occasion of Netaji’s jayanti.
