The decision of the central government to observe the birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on 23rd Jan as ”parakram divas”. I think it's only a political stunt with an eye on the ensuing Assembly elections of West Bengal. And if someone thinks it otherwise, I leave it to their wisdom. On the face of it, one would consider it a matter of great pride and patriotism though belated. Strictly speaking, Netaji was born in Cuttak, Orissa, then in Bengal Presidency Of British India. While Didi led TMC and BJP led NDA are in tandem on the issue of celebrating of Netaji's birthday. But the bone of contention is the nomenclature, Central Govt wants to call it as “Parakram Divas” the state’s TMC Govt with All India Forward Block wants it to be called “Desh Premi Divas” and both TMC&FB, are miffed with the Centre for not consulting them.

 If someone thinks that it is not a move to appease voters of West Bengal, then also I will leave it to their wisdom as it is an individual perception. With West Bengal Elections are on cards, especially when it comes to the birth anniversary of Netaji, no party wants to let the opportunity to lure the voters to slip from its hands. And it’s quite reasonable to accept the truth that Central Govt had no time to remember Netaji in the last 6/7 years from the day it came to power. But I feel the people of Bengal are shrewd enough not to fall into such traps and vote judiciously based on work done and schemes floated by Govt.

The regional party’s leaders have gone so far as to claim that it was a “stunt “by NDA keeping in mind the forthcoming Assembly Elections, and” not a mark of respect “to Netaji. Its also reported that the family members of Netaji also put their weight behind TMC’ s, “Desh Premi Divas” but they also said “ we are happy with the announcement. “ 

But the bottom line remains that true respect and honest tributes to Netaji had been if both Governments had joined hands to celebrate 125th birthday anniversary of one India’s greatest sons who strove to free India from the British Iron clutches and rather than quibbling over Netaji’s event the governments should have celebrated the event together if both are so generous and magnanimous.