Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose always has been remembered by the Shillonggites and the State Government of Meghalaya during his birthday on 23rd January. The hill city  Shillong has seen how respectfully Netaji’s statues have been installed in different places at Shillong. 

The chilli cold winter never could stop the Netaji admirers to reach the State Central Library Shillong from different corners of Shillong to pay their humble tribute and honour at the feet of the great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Statue installed during his birth centenary in 1997 by the people of Shillong. It is a great pride and honour for all of us that a very nice big painting of Netaji has been kept at Raj Bhawan Shillong with great honour. No other Raj Bhawans of India has received the credit to have an oil painting of Netaji. 

But does anybody care to save the memories which are scattered in different places at Shillong related to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose? We are completing the 125th anniversary year of Netaji. Last year many commitments were made by our leaders. Then why this apathy/negligence? When we will save “Kelsall Lodge” at Oakland Shillong (now occupied/ owned by BSNL) where Netaji stayed during his first and second visits to Shillong in 1927 between June and October? When Bidhan Bhawan at Laban will be identified as one of the most important heritage sites where Rabindranath Tagore set his foot in 1923 and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose stayed in 1929? When “Ashley Hall” at Oakland Shillong would be marked as a special heritage place where Netaji came and stayed in September 1938 invited by the then Congress Leader Gopinath Bordoloi in the context to form Congress Coalition government for the first time in North East. When all political leaders, NGOs, educationists, activists, students, and youths will know the history of how Netaji had saved North East from being a part of East Pakistan? When students will know what Netaji had delivered before the educated audience and students from all communities at  St Edmunds School Shillong and ‘Opera Hall’ Shillong in September 1938? 

When this generation will know how much suffering did Netaji do to come from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Shillong during those days to hear the people of his country when there was no good rail communication? 

It is sure Shillong will celebrate the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji on 23rd January 2022. Flags will be hosted by the leaders. Balloons painted with tricolor will be released in the memory of Netaji. But at the same time, our priority should be to save the places and houses lived by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at Shillong. At the same time, we must gather authentic information on Netaji’s five times visits to Shillong which has been unveiled in different papers in the recent past.

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