In the National endeavor to attain freedom many great heroes offered their remarkable contributions to attain Independence for India. Some believed in non-violent means, whereas others did not. One such hero was Subhash Chandra Bose, affectionately known as `Netaji`. He founded Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) to overthrow British Empire from India. With his magnificent work he earned legendary status among Indian masses. Netaji was a fierce and popular leader in the political scene in pre-independence era with strong patriotism and great visionary ideas.

Early Life
Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897 in an affluent Bangali family in Cuttack. His Jankinath Bose father was a successful lawyer and mother Prabhavati, was of a unique temperament. Subhas Chandra Bose was a brilliant student right from the childhood. He studied at Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Cuttack and topped the matriculation examination of Calcutta province. Later he graduated with a First Class in Philosophy from Scottish Church College, Calcutta. He was strongly influenced by Swami Vivekananda`s teachings and was known for his patriotic zeal as a student.

To please his father, Netaji went to England to appear for the Indian Civil Service (I.C.S.) Examination, and achieved fourth place on the Merit list. But he had no intention of serving the British. Instead he wanted to participate in the Nationalist Movement and liberate his Motherland.

Subhas chandra Bose in freedom struggle
Filled with patriotic zeal when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose returned to India, he came under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the Indian National Congress. He actively participated in the youth wing. On Gandhiji`s instructions, he started working under Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, whom he later acknowledged his political guru. Soon he showed his leadership mettle and gained his way up in the Congress` hierarchy.

Subhas Chandra Bose and Indian National Army
The Indian National army was originally founded with Japan`s Indian prisoner of War by Capt Mohan Singh in September 1942 headed by Rash Behari Bose but was separated in December 1942 due to some disagreements between members of the organisation. However, the idea of a liberation army was revived with the arrival of Subhas Chandra Bose. In July 1943, Rash Behari Bose handed over control of the organisation to Subhas Chandra Bose. Bose`s most famous quote was "Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!". In this, he urged the people of India to join him in his fight against the British Raj. His other famous quotes `Delhi Chalo" and "Jai Hind" acted as words of motivation for the Indian National Army.

Officially, Subhas Chandra Bose died in a plane crash over Taiwan, while flying to Tokyo on 18 August 1945. However, his body was never recovered. Many theories have been put forward concerning his possible survival. An inquiry commission was appointed under Justice Mukherjee which investigated the Bose disappearance mystery in the period 1999-2005.

Subhas Chandra Bose strongly believed that India could achieve political freedom only if it had political, military and diplomatic support from outside. He further said, an independent nation necessitated the creation of a national army to secure its sovereignty. Bose`s earlier correspondence (prior to 1939) also reflects his deep disapproval of the racist practices and annulment of democratic institutions in Nazi Germany. Subhas Chandra Bose clearly expressed his belief that democracy was the best option for India.