Parakram Diwas: PM Modi in Kolkata to mark Netaji's birth anniversary amid tight vigil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday will visit Kolkata to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose by attending the 'Parakram Diwas' celebrations at Victoria Memorial. A cultural programme "Amra Nuton Jouboneri Doot", based on the theme of Netaji, is also going to be held. Before this, PM Modi will visit the National Library, where an International Conference “Re-visiting the legacy of Netaji Subhas in the 21st century”  will be organized.

Around 2,000 police personnel will be likely deployed across the capital city of West Bengal and tight security will be arranged at  venues where the Prime Minister will visit. CCTV and drone cameras are reportedly going used to keep an eye on every movement and maintain the safety of the locations. 

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'India marks Parakram Diwas'

On Friday, in a series of Tweets, PM Modi announced that India will mark Parakram Diwas on Saturday and various programmes will be organised across the country. He mentioned about a special programme that will be held in Haripura, Gujarat and recalled launching e-Gram Vishwagram Project back in 2009 while remembering Netaji.  

The Prime Minister further said, "I can never forget the affection of the people of Haripura, who took me through an elaborate procession on the same road as Netaji Bose was taken, in 1938. His procession included a decorated chariot drawn by 51 bullocks. I also visited the place where Netaji stayed in Haripura."

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He added, "May the thoughts and ideals of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose keep inspiring us to work towards building an India that he would be proud of…a strong, confident and self-reliant India, whose human-centric approach contributes to a better planet in the years to come."

On January 19, the Government of India had decided to observe Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary on January 23 every year as Parakram Diwas. The Centre announced its move to pay tribute to the freedom fighter to inspire the youth of the nation to 'act with fortitude in the face of adversity'.The Ministry of Culture issued a circular announcing January 23 to be observed as Parakram Diwas every year from now on. 

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