The Ministry of Culture organised a three-day nationwide celebration of Parakram Diwas from 23 to 25 January 2026 to mark the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, honouring his legacy of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.
The inaugural ceremony was held at Netaji Stadium, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D. K. Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), as the Chief Guest, and was attended by the Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri Vivek Aggarwal, senior members of the armed forces, senior government officials, former members of the Indian National Army (INA), members of the INA Trust, and family members.
As part of the nationwide commemoration, programmes were organised at 13 locations associated with key episodes from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s life, including Cuttack in Odisha; Kodalia, Murshidabad, and Netaji Bhavan in West Bengal; Haripura in Gujarat; Gomoh and Ramgarh in Jharkhand; Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh; Moirang in Manipur; Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh; Meerut in Uttar Pradesh; Kohima in Nagaland; and the Red Fort in Delhi.
During the commemoration, Lieutenant R. Madhavan, the last known surviving member of the Indian National Army, aged 101, was honoured for his contributions to India’s freedom struggle. A video film highlighting Netaji’s bravery, national service, and visionary leadership was screened. An exhibition showcasing rare visuals, historical narratives, and key milestones from Netaji’s life was also organised at the ITF Ground.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the gathering via video conferencing. He stated that Netaji’s valour continues to inspire the nation and noted that Parakram Diwas has emerged as an important national observance reflecting the spirit of India. The Prime Minister further observed that Netaji was not only a hero of the freedom movement but also a visionary of independent India, who imagined a modern nation rooted in its ancient cultural consciousness.
Highlighting the significance of the observance, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri Vivek Aggarwal remarked that Parakram Diwas goes beyond a commemorative event and symbolises the strength that arises from unwavering belief combined with exemplary courage. He noted that through exhibitions, research, and public engagement initiatives, the Ministry aims to inspire younger generations through Netaji’s legacy.
The cultural programme commenced with the INA theme song performed by a band and chorus of 129 students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sri Vijaya Puram. The programme featured performances by eminent artists, including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Shri Papon, Shri Amaan Ali Bangash, Shri Ayaan Ali Bangash, Smt Mangli, Shri Raghu Dixit, Smt Pratibha Singh Baghel, and the duo Sourendro–Soumyojit. Folk performances from various regions of India reflected the country’s cultural diversity.
The commemorative event concluded with a drone show depicting key moments from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s life against the night sky of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The exhibition will remain open for two days at the ITF Ground and for one month at Netaji Subhas Island. This marked the fifth nationwide celebration of Parakram Diwas.
