NETAJI SUBHASH PARK

Netaji Subhash Park is situated just opposite Sunehri Masjid (Mosque) in Old Delhi on the main Netaji Subhash Marg (Road) dedicated in memory of the Indian Freedom Fighter named Subhash Chandra Bose. It is accessible by local auto rickshaws and taxis and from Chawri Bazaar Metro Station.

Netaji Subhash Park is a very small Park that share its boundary with another small park named Urdu Park and can be compared with the Mahatma Gandhi Park also situated in Old Delhi. These Parks are generally visited by many passersby or travellers who seek relaxation from their tiring journeys or a few youngsters who gather around with friends just for leisure time.

Netaji Subhash Park is also seen with an interesting number of various Malishwallahs or ‘Body Massagers’ who are always ready to give you a rejuvenating and a detoxifying message, however, it is advisable only for men to try a massage here. Women tourists and foreigners should never get any massages done here as it will unnecessarily lead to unfavourable situations.

The major attraction of this Park is an impressive Statue of Subhash Chandra Bose who was known as a Military Leader and one of the most determined Freedom Fighters of India. He was born on 23rd January 1897 in Kolkata and was popularly called by all as ‘Netaji’ or ‘Respected Leader’ as he exuded great leadership qualities during the Indian independence movement. Subhash Chandra Bose always propagated the need for an immediate and complete Freedom of India opposed to the Congress Party who believed in attaining freedom in steps and phases. Later, after pressure from Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress had to adapt to Bose’s method of a ‘Complete Freedom’ as their aim. The Martyrdom of Bhagat Singh by the British due to the failure of the Congress, who were not able to save him, angered Bose to the extent that he rebelled against the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and for this reason was imprisoned and expelled from India to which he opposed and was imprisoned again.

Subhash Chandra Bose was then elected as the President Congress Party for two consecutive terms, however, he resigned after conflicting ideologies with Mahatma Gandhi Ji, who proposed non-violence opposed to Bose’s ideology of adopting a violent streak of attitude to gain Independence. He then established his own political party named ‘The All India Forward Bloc’ who continued to propagate an immediate and complete Independence of India and for which he was imprisoned over 11 times by the British Raj. During the Second World War, Bose found the opportunity to use the weakness of the British against them. After the war, Bose travelled to Germany, Japan and the Soviet Union to attain their alliances. The Japanese agreed to assist and Bose put together the Indian National Army made up of Indian prisoners of war and plantation labourers belonging to Singapore, British Malaya and different regions of the South Asian Countries to fight against the British. He also re-organised the Indian National Army to fight against the British Allies in Burma and Imphal and established the Azad Hind Government during his exile with the monetary, diplomatic and political assistance of the Japanese. His alliances with the German Nazis and other Military regiments against the British also saw many arguments between the Politicians while a few still showed sympathy towards his efforts to achieve his goal of a free country. Despite all his tactics and methods, Bose could not attain Independence for India and his mysterious death presumed to have been on 18th August 1945 due to a plane crash over Taiwan is still being argued and disputed by many as his body was never found. The only one famous motto that people remember him with is ‘You give me Blood and I will give you freedom’ that resonates through time and will never be forgotten.

Photography and entry into the Netaji Subhash Park is free of charge and it is opened to public on all days from early mornings to late evenings which always invite visitors and tourists to relax and take a breather after a tiring sightseeing around the nearest tourist attractions in Old Delhi or a hectic shopping spree.