Kolkata: The 122nd birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was observed with great enthusiasm in Kolkata and its neighbourhood.
Netaji's statue at Maidan was garlanded by leaders of all political parties. The birth anniversary was observed in all the 144 wards of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). Students from different schools took part in rallies holding posters of Netaji. Patriotic songs were played from early Wednesday morning in every corner.
The occasion was observed in areas under six Municipal Corporations and 118 municipalities. The National Flag of India was hoisted and seminars and workshops were held on Netaji's relevance in today's world.
A day-long programme was held at Kodali in South 24-Parganas, the ancestral village of Netaji. A special programme was held at Kurseong Netaji museum as well because as a student he used to visit the house quite frequently. Before leaving the country he had stayed in the house for some days, which is situated 4 km off Kurseong.
Hundreds of people visited Netaji Bhavan on Elgin Road from where he escaped in disguise on January 26, 1941. He reached Germany via Kabul and had left Kolkata in Wanderrer, a German vehicle driven by his nephew Sisir Bose.
The car is on display on the portico of the house.
The car, which was grounded, has recently been brought back to life by a German car manufacturer in collaboration with a Kolkata-based car restorer. Netaji Mela was inaugurated at Harish Park where students and people from different walks of life took part in a march. The fair has been organised by Swapan Banerjee, sports organiser and football secretary of Mohun Bagan club.
A full length statue of Netaji was unveiled on VIP Road. The statue has been installed at the initiative of Sujit Bose, Minister of State for Fire and Emergency Services. Netaji's statue in Salt Lake was garlanded in the morning.