New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that a grand statue of iconic freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose will be installed at India Gate as a symbol of India’s indebtedness to him. The prime minister tweeted, “At a time when the entire nation is marking the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, I am glad to share that his grand statue, made of granite, will be installed at India Gate. This would be a symbol of India’s indebtedness to him.”
Netaji’s birthday was also named “Parakram Divas”. The Netaji statue will be 28 feet by 6 feet and will stand at the spot that once featured a statue of England’s King George V. That statue was removed and shifted in 1968. In another tweet the PM wrote, “Till the grand statue of Netaji Bose is completed, a hologram statue of his would be present at the same place. I will unveil the hologram statue on January 23rd, Netaji’s birth anniversary.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Congress government constructed new things only for their families after independence while his government is building monuments of national importance. The announcement of a Netaji statue comes as changes to the India Gate area in the heart of the capital are already stirring up debate, controversy and questions. The Republic Day celebrations will take place on a refurbished Rajpath, the ceremonial road connecting India Gate to the British-built Rashtrapati Bhawan.