India is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of freedom fighter, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose today.
The founder of "Azad Hind Fauz" who played a very vital role in Indian independence movement will be accorded respect in the form of a statue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday had announced that a grand statue of the iconic freedom fighter will be installed at India Gate as a symbol of India's "indebtedness" to him.
Until the granite statue is completed, a hologram statue of his would be present at the same place. Today, on the occasion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary, PM Modi is about to unveil that hologram statue.
Celebrating this occasion, tributes poured in from various leaders.
President Ram Nath Kovind today paid tribue to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and said his daring steps make him a national icon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers tribute to Netaji
Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
Meanwhile, chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee appealed to Centre that Netaji's birthday be declared a National Holiday to allow the entire Nation to pay homage to the National Leader and celebrate #DeshNayakDibas in the most befitting manner."
Netaji's birth anniversary - Events
During the programme, PM Modi will confer the 'Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskars', for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 in the investiture ceremony. A total of seven awards will be presented during the ceremony. The award recognises the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organisations in India in the field of disaster management, the PMO said, noting that it is announced every year on January 23.The award carries a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh and a certificate in case of an institution and Rs 5 lakh and a certificate in case of an individual.In this spirit, Republic Day celebrations will begin a day early, from 23rd January (today).
Netaji's statue - The highlights
Asserting that the installation of the statue will be a case of India "reclaiming" its history, official sources said the dimension of the hologram statue will be 28 feet long and six feet wide. The granite statue will be installed under a canopy, which used to have a statue of King George V that was removed in 1968, they added.The hologram statue will be powered by a 30,000 lumens 4K projector and an invisible, high gain, 90 per cent transparent holographic screen has been erected in such a way so that it is not visible to visitors, the PMO statement said.
