Deshprem Divas: Japanese join Indians in remembering Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
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Tokyo, Jan 28: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, "Deshprem Divas" was organized by HSS Japan and Team Netaji Japan to pay tributes to freedom fighters and recall the Japanese assistance for setting up Indian National Army. This event is organized for the last 9 years.
Rash Behari Bose whose disappearance day falls on Jan 21 is also being remembered for his braveness and acting as a messenger of India in Japan. It was his close relationship with Japanese leaders and popularity in Japanese masses, Japan agreed to support Indian freedom fighters. This year, Deshprem Divas was celebrated virtually to follow the ongoing safety measures.
Prior to the virtual event, an online quiz contest was organized on January 16. More than 150 people (including kids) have registered for this online quiz, which was based on Netaji, Rash Behari, Japanese connect with freedom fighters as well as other freedom movements like Gadar which were organized by overseas Indians. Quiz was divided into three age groups with each group has witnessed three winners. The concept of online quiz helped in creating good level of curiosity and awareness among everyone. The winners were announced during the Deshprem Divas.
Great Grandsons of Mistsuru Toyama and Shigemaru Sugiyama delivered the greetings on behalf of Japanese followers of Netaji. Toyama, who was the tallest Nationalist leader with deep corner for India, protected Rash Behari Bose from British agents on multiple occasions. He has also played a key role in arranging Netaji’s meeting with Japanese Prime Minister to gain Japan’s military assistance for Indian National Army & India’s freedom.
Similarly, Sugiyama who was Toyama’s right-hand man, has risked his own life in rescuing Rash Behari in his car when later was on the verge of getting extradited to British agents. Sugiyama’s grandson, Tatsumaru Sugiyama San also called as Green Father of India helped to restore water and agriculture by spending 14 billion yen in a rapidly desertifying northern land of India in 1961. Now, this region of Shivalik ranges is covered with lush greenery. Tatsumaru Sugiyama San fulfilled the wishes of his grandfather and Rash Behari Bose, by dedicating his life to the reforestation and vitalization of India.
Netaji’s grandnephew, Surya Bose has also joined the event from Germany and conveyed his deep appreciation for the celebration of Netaji’s birth anniversary as Deshprem Divas in Tokyo for last 9 years. Surya Bose mentioned that India will always remember Japanese support for its freedom.
Besides, keynotes were delivered by Vinay Sahasrabuddhe who is a Member of Parliament and the President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations. He appreciated the cultural performances which includes a special skit on Netaji and Rash Behari by the members of HSS Japan and other members of Indian community in Japan.
HSS Japan has also shared brief updates on various sewa projects which are being going at a Hindu refugee camp in Adarshnagar, Delhi. This includes the construction of toilets, online classes, opening shops for 10 families for making them self-reliant, weekly medical camp, etc. Recently a beautician center has been inaugurated in collaboration with one of the local NGOs in Delhi in Hindu refugee camp. This center will be used to conduct 3-month beautician course (and in future for other skill development workshops) for the women and young girls of the camp as an initiative towards women empowerment.
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