Ever wondered what it takes to replace a king with a revolutionary? Here at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Statue, we stand on a spot steeped in history. This statue commemorates Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He was a prominent Indian freedom fighter.
Before this imposing figure stood here, this canopy housed a statue of King George V. Many Indians didn’t accept it even in 1936. After independence in 1947, political parties increasingly objected to its presence. In 1968, the statue was finally removed.
Fast forward to 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose would be installed here. It was to mark Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This commemorated 75 years of independence and Bose’s 125th birth anniversary.
The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Statue was formally dedicated on September 8, 2022. Prime Minister Modi unveiled it. He declared that the Rajpath would now be known as Kartavya Path. He said that the statue replacing George V’s was not the beginning or the end of abandoning a slavery mentality. It marked a continuous journey toward freedom of mind and spirit.
This statue is not just any statue. It’s a monolithic sculpture made of black granite. It stands 28 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The statue weighs approximately 65 tons.
The granite came from Telangana. A 280-metric-tonne block was quarried in Khammam. Transporting it was a feat in itself. A special 100-foot-long truck with 140 wheels was designed. It took 12 days to travel over 1500 kilometers to Delhi.
The sculpting was done at the National Gallery of Modern Art. A team led by Arun Yogiraj spent 26000 man-hours creating this masterpiece. Yogiraj also sculpted the Statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath. The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Statue is completely handcrafted using traditional techniques and modern tools.
Netaji is depicted as a commander of the Indian National Army. He wears his military uniform. The uniform includes a long belted jacket, boots, and a hat. He stands in a salute.
The statue is located in the center of the C-hexagon. It is surrounded by India Gate, the Param Vir Memorial, the National War Memorial, and a Children’s Park. The canopy housing the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Statue sits in a water body with fountains.
During the unveiling ceremony, traditional Manipuri Shankh Vadayam and Kerala’s Panch Vadayam were performed. The song “Kadam Kadam Badhaye Jaa” played. This was the traditional song of Bose’s Indian National Army. A cultural festival showcased 500 dancers from all over India.
The installation of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Statue symbolizes a shift in India. It moves from a colonial past to an empowered future. It embodies the spirit and vision of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It reminds us of his contribution to India’s freedom.