Subhas Chandra Bose birth anniversary: India Gate to have Netaji statue soon, announces PM Modi

However, till the statue is completed, it will be represented by a hologram bust of the freedom fighter at the same place. PM Modi will inaugurate the hologram on January 23, Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary.

A ‘grand statue’ of Subhas Chandra Bose will be installed at India Gate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday, two days before the freedom fighter’s 125th birth anniversary. “I am glad to share that the grand statue, made of granite, will be installed at India Gate. This would be a symbol of India’s indebtedness to him,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

An illustration of the completed statue (left). The hologram bust which will be used for now (Right)

However, till the time the statue is constructed, a hologram bust of ‘Netaji’ will be put up at the iconic monument in the national capital, PM Modi further said.  “I will unveil the hologram statue on 23rd January, Netaji’s birth anniversary,” he posted.

 

The dimensions of the upcoming statue will be 28 feet*6 feet, people aware of development said. The canopy, under which it will be placed, previously featured a bust of Britain's King George V, which was removed in 1968, they added.

Last week, the Union government announced that starting this year, the annual Republic Day celebrations will commence on January 23, instead of January 24, to coincide with the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose. Also, since last year, January 23 has been observed as ‘Parakram Diwas’ in memory of the former commander of the erstwhile Indian National Army (INA).

Today's announcement by PM Modi also comes in the backdrop of controversy surrounding the ‘merger’ of India Gate's Amar Jawan Jyoti flame with the eternal flame at the National War Memorial.