India celebrates Parakram Diwas to honour Subhas Chandra Bose

Hyderabad: On the occasion of Parakram Diwas 2025, a grand celebration is set to unfold from January 23 to 25 at Barabati fort in the historic city of Cuttack, the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The multifaceted celebration will honour the legacy of Netaji on his 128th birth anniversary. The three day event will be inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Thursday.

Following the government’s decision to commemorate Netaji’s birth anniversary as ‘Parakram Diwas’, the first Parakram Diwas was held that year at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.

The year 2022 saw the unveiling of a hologram statue of Netaji at India Gate, New Delhi; and in 2023, 21 unnamed islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago were named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees. In 2024, the Prime Minister had inaugurated the event at the historic Red Fort in Delhi, the site of the INA trials.

Continuing the tradition, this year the Parakram Diwas celebration is being organised by the Ministry of Culture at Cuttack, Netaji’s birthplace and the city that shaped his early sensibilities.

The three day long event will start with the Chief Minister and other dignitaries paying homage to Netaji and hoisting the national flag at the house where Netaji was born, which has now been converted to a museum dedicated to him.

Subsequently, the Parakram Diwas celebration at Barabati fort will begin with a video message by the Prime Minister and will feature a book, photo and archival exhibition focused on Netaji’s life, showcasing rare photographs, letters and documents as well as an AR/VR display chronicling his remarkable journey. A sculpture workshop and a painting competition-cum-workshop are also being planned on the occasion.

The event will also feature cultural performances honouring Netaji’s legacy and highlighting the rich cultural tradition of Odisha. Besides, films on Netaji’s life will also be screened during the event.