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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
In Manipur, Amit Shah recalls freedom fighter Hemam Neelmani Singh
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday recalled Manipur freedom fighter Hemam Neelmani Singh, a member of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army, as he was felicitated posthumously by the Bharat Vikas Parishad, with Shah as the chief guest at the event. Evading arrest till 1945, Shah said, Singh went back to Moirang after his release from jail in 1946, and engaged in social work. 'When I first went to Manipur, I saw youth conversing in Hindi. When I asked them how they could converse in Hindi so well, they recalled Heman Neelmani Singh, who worked for linguistic unity throughout his life,' he said. The Bharat Vikas Parishad is a voluntary organisation inspired by Swami Vivekanand that was initially set up as the Citizens Council by Suraj Prakash to mobilize citizen efforts against the Chinese attack of 1962. It was given its present name in 1963.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- The Hindu
Saraswathi Rajamani: the woman who dared
A couple of years ago, if you had entered Peter's Colony in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, you would have encountered a remarkable woman with many stories to tell and reminisce about — stories of bravery, history, and the independence struggle India went through. This is the story of Saraswathi Rajamani — India's youngest female spy, who got recruited in her teens! It was approximately the 1940s when a young Rajamani, born to an affluent family in Myanmar, heard about donations being opened to support the Indian National Army. Already in awe of Subhash Chandra Bose's fiery speeches and avid patriotism, the young girl instantly gave up all her jewellery for the same. The same caught the eyes of Jawaharlal Nehru and Bose, who assumed it was a mistake due to the large amount of wealth that was donated. Upon investigating, they stumbled upon a young, passionate, yet brave young woman who stood her ground when asked to take back her donations. The INA journey It was not much later that she got recruited by Bose into the INA as one of the first female and youngest spies India had at that time. Disguised as a young boy named 'Mani', Rajamani pursued various dangerous missions and gathered intelligence from British camps. A popular anecdote known about her was how she had rescued her fellow colleague from the British camp by disguising herself as a dancer and hiding in a tree. She, along with her colleagues, dressed in male attire and did espionage on British officers and military camps. During her work, one day, one of her colleagues, Durgamall Gorkha, was caught by the British while praying. On this, Neera Arya (popularly known as the first female INA spy) and Rajamani dressed up as dancers and made the British officers and soldiers in the prison unconscious by feeding them intoxicants. They then freed Durgamall Gorkha from prison. During this time, a soldier regained consciousness and shot at them. The bullet fired by him hit Saraswati Rajamani's leg, which gave her a limp. They saved their lives by hiding in a tree in the forest for three days. Thereafter, Saraswati Rajamani was appointed lieutenant, while Neera Arya was appointed captain in the Rani Jhansi Regiment of Azad Hind Fauj. Fading names These stories of bravery, however, faded with time. Post-independence, these eminent personalities soon found themselves living in various corners of India, leading dilapidated lifestyles, with some receiving government support while others refused or were not recognised as time passed by. While talking about freedom fighters, we tend to move towards eminent male figures, and women who fought against not just the British but also the patriarchal system they brought across the seas seem to be slowly disappearing from our books and minds. A similar fate awaited Rajamani as well; with time, she was forgotten and was soon living purely on the freedom fighter's pension in a corner of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. It was much later that the Tamil Nadu government recognised and allotted her better accommodation facilities in the city, where she lived until she passed away in 2018 at the age of 91. In today's world, despite having the world at our fingertips, we often fail to acknowledge history and the figures who have played a huge role in creating a better society for us to live in. Saraswathi Rajamani's story serves as a reminder of many names that were forgotten over time and failed to be recognised for their bravery.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Plea to name submarine after freedom fighter Abid Hasan Safrani
A relative of Abid Hasan Safrani, a member of the Indian National Army, and a close associate of freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, has urged the Indian Navy to name a submarine after him. Ismat Mehdi, who is Safrani's niece, has written to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, requesting him to name a submarine after the freedom fighter. Prof. Ismat recalled that Major Safrani was Netaji's companion on the historic voyage aboard a submarine from Germany to Sumatra. En route, they boarded a Japanese submarine. 'It is for this reason that I request naming one of the submarines as INS Safrani,' she wrote. In his reply, Admiral Tripathi expressed his gratitude to Prof. Ismat for suggesting the name. 'Indian Navy deeply values the contributions made by our freedom fighters to the Indian Freedom movement including that of Shri Abid Hasan Safrani. Your suggestion has been duly noted and forwarded to the concerned authority for consideration, subject to established guidelines,' he wrote.
NDTV
10-06-2025
- NDTV
5 Fascinating Countries You'd Never Guess Have Deep Indian Roots
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. From Suriname's Indian diaspora to Japan's Buddhist roots, this story uncovers five countries with strong Indian ties. Think shared cuisine with Mexico, Indo-Greek kingdoms, and Uzbekistan's Mughal link—proof that India's global influence runs deep. India's cultural influence stretches far beyond the obvious. Beyond Bollywood and butter chicken, centuries of trade, migration, and spiritual exchange have connected India with places you'd never expect. From royal ancestry in Central Asia to Indian languages spoken in South America, the global Indian imprint is both deep and surprising. These five countries might not seem connected to India at first glance, but their histories reveal surprising ties — some ancient, others modern — that are still alive today. If you thought Indian culture was confined to the subcontinent, these unexpected global connections might just change your perspective. Here Are 5 Surprising Countries With Fascinating Indian Connections: You might think Mexico and India only have spicy food in common — but the connection runs deeper. During the Spanish colonial period, Mexican chillies, vanilla, and chocolate made their way to India via Portuguese traders. In return, Indian spices like black pepper and cardamom reached Latin America, influencing local cuisine. But that's not all. Both cultures place heavy emphasis on family, religion, and holistic living — think Ayurveda and curanderismo (Mexican traditional healing). Here's a mind-blower: The Mexican state of Oaxaca has a Day of India every August, celebrating Indian culture with food festivals, dance performances, and yoga workshops. There's even a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Mexico City — one of over 70 around the world. India and Mexico also celebrate more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, with shared interests in science, technology, and cinema. 2. Japan: Spiritual Ties And A Surprising Tamil Link India and Japan go way back — think 6th century AD — when Buddhism first travelled to Japan via China and Korea, but originated in India. Japanese monks often visit Bodh Gaya, the birthplace of Buddhism, as a pilgrimage. But the ties don't stop at religion. Here's where it gets interesting: In the 1900s, Tamil freedom fighter Rash Behari Bose found refuge in Japan after being hunted by British authorities in India. He ended up marrying a Japanese woman, starting a family, and helping set up the Indian National Army during World War II. There's even a memorial dedicated to him in Tokyo. Culturally, India's ancient texts influenced Japanese thought through Buddhist scriptures, and Japan has reciprocated with anime and J-pop fandoms growing steadily in India. It's a quiet but enduring connection. 3. Greece: Philosophy, Trade, And Indo-Greek Kings The Indo-Greek connection isn't just academic jargon — it's real, and it's ancient. After Alexander the Great invaded parts of northwest India in 326 BCE, Indo-Greek kingdoms sprang up in the region (modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan). These kings, like Menander I, ruled for nearly two centuries and blended Greek and Indian cultures. Ever seen those coins with Greek and Sanskrit inscriptions? That's Indo-Greek influence right there. The fusion even extended to religion. Some scholars argue that Hellenistic art heavily shaped Gandhara art, the Buddhist art form that emerged in India and became widespread in Central Asia. And it's not just about ancient history — India and Greece maintain strong modern diplomatic ties, and in recent years, there's been an uptick in Indian weddings held in Santorini. If that's not cultural crossover, what is? 4. Suriname: Bhojpuri Culture In South America Suriname, a tiny country tucked in the northeastern coast of South America, has one of the largest Indian-origin populations outside India — descendants of indentured labourers brought by the Dutch between 1873 and 1916. Today, nearly 27% of the population is of Indian origin, primarily Bhojpuri-speaking Hindustanis. Hindi is taught in schools, Indian festivals like Diwali are national holidays, and Bollywood is massively popular. Former President Chandrikapersad Santokhi is of Indian descent and even took his oath of office in Sanskrit. The cuisine is a wild but delicious mix — think roti with peanut sauce, or biryani made with South American peppers. Indian-Surinamese identity is its own rich hybrid that's both familiar and entirely unique. 5. Uzbekistan: Silk Road Legacies And A Shared Hero Uzbekistan and India may seem worlds apart, but the connection is strong, especially when it comes to the Mughal dynasty. Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, was born in Andijan, Uzbekistan. His memoir, the Baburnama, offers vivid accounts of his early life in Central Asia before he moved south to conquer northern India in the 16th century. And the cultural exchanges didn't stop with the Mughals. Through the Silk Road, spices, textiles, and ideas flowed both ways. Indian merchants set up trade routes through Samarkand and Bukhara, which were major commercial hubs. Today, Uzbekistan is cashing in on this shared history — offering "Babur heritage tours" to Indian tourists and preserving Mughal-era manuscripts in their archives. The countries even launched direct flights between Delhi and Tashkent to make travel easier.
The Print
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
India forgot revolutionary Rash Behari Bose. Abhishek Banerjee brought him back into focus
Bose later fled to Japan, joined the Japanese in their fight against the British in World War II, and died there as a Japanese citizen on 21 January 1945, two years before India won freedom. On 23 December 1912, Indian revolutionaries Basanta Kumar Biswas and Jorawar Singh Bareth threw a homemade bomb at then-Viceroy of India Lord Charles Hardinge during a procession in Delhi. The bomb only wounded Hardinge, killing instead the servant who was holding his parasol. The plan to assassinate the Viceroy was hatched by a group of underground revolutionaries in Bengal and Punjab. And the leader of that pack was Bengali revolutionary Rash Behari Bose. Over 113 years before Operation Sindoor, a mission no less daring was launched from New Delhi to take out a foreign enemy. On 23 May 2025, Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee — visiting Japan for the Operation Sindoor global outreach — paid tribute to its mastermind, Rash Behari Bose. Urging officials of the Indian High Commission in Tokyo to take steps for the restoration of the memorial, Banerjee brought focus back on a legendary revolutionary who the India outside West Bengal has long forgotten. What no one asked, however, is why Bose has been relegated to the footnotes of India's history. He was a key organiser of the Ghadar Revolution and founded the Indian Independence League – a political organisation that operated between the 1920s and 1940s to mobilise Indians outside the country against British rule. Moreover, Rash Behari Bose didn't just lead the attack on Viceroy Hardinge; he also led the Indian National Army before Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose took over its reins. It was, perhaps, inconvenient to talk about Bose or recount his achievements in Independent India, given his close associations with Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and the Hindu Mahasabha. Revolutionaries' revolutionary Sanjeev Sanyal, author of Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom, recalled in a talk his primary motivation behind writing the book: the sense that the story of India's independence struggle was incomplete. 'This whole idea that we politely requested the British to leave and they gently left doesn't quite add up,' he said. According to Sanyal, the armed revolutionary movement in India didn't just comprise random acts of violence; coordinated effort tied generations of revolutionaries from the late 19th century till 1946. In his book, Sanyal writes that the first generation of revolutionaries was led by Aurobindo Ghosh — who later came to be known as Sri Aurobindo — and VD Savarkar. Just as the first wave of armed revolution was quashed by the British — through hangings and incarcerations at the Cellular (Kaala Pani) Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands — a second wave, led by Rash Behari Bose, emerged. 'One of the disciples of Sri Aurobindo, Rash Behari Bose, created a new network of revolutionaries along with my grand uncle, Sachindranath Sanyal. After the attack on Lord Hardinge, Bose went back to Dehradun, where he was working at that time and organised an event where he condemned the attack in the harshest terms. So pleased were the British that six months later, when Hardinge was released from hospital, Rash Behari Bose was made the leader of the welcoming committee,' Sanyal said in his 2023 talk. Prasun Roy, author of a biography titled A Samurai Dream of Azad Hind: Rash Behari Bose, said that he was no ordinary freedom fighter. Speaking to me over the phone, Roy said: 'He (Bose) knew a time would come when Japan and Southeast Asia would support the struggle for Indian independence. His vision gave birth to the Indian National Army, but he had no ego in welcoming Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to lead it. Rash Behari Bose was a global Indian who created the blueprint for India's independence.' But Roy has one grouse: 'India has forgotten Rash Behari Bose…Abhishek Banerjee paying tribute to Bose is commendable, but political parties should not use him to poke each other. Instead, a gallantry award should be named after him, and something should be done in the national capital so that India remembers him for who he was.' Also read: The Indian freedom fighter Japan remembers as its beloved chef The 'othered' Bose According to author Amrita Mukherjee, Rash Behari Bose has been forgotten even in his native Bengal. Not many Bengalis today know about his contribution to the Independence struggle, she told me. 'He was a relentless revolutionary who did not leave any stone unturned to fight for his motherland,' she said, adding that, while there is little about Bose in history books, Prasun Roy's in-depth research and writing style does justice to his life story. In Japan, both Sanjeev Sanyal and Prasun Roy write in their books, Rash Behari Bose changed houses and identities many times as the British government pressured the Japanese to extradite him. Bose married a Japanese citizen, lived life as a journalist and writer, and even introduced the 'Indian curry' to Japan. And he accomplished all this while carrying out his revolutionary duties. The Japanese government honoured him with the Order of the Rising Sun – awarded to those who have rendered distinguished service to the state in various fields except military service. But why is Rash Behari Bose a forgotten hero in India? One reason could be his association with Savarkar and the Japanese 'extreme Right'. 'Throughout 1938, Savarkar had a considerable exchange of letters with one of the historical leaders of the revolutionary movement abroad: Rash Behari Bose. Rash Behari, who had lived in Japan since 1915 and had obtained Japanese nationality in 1923, was in touch with Japanese extreme Right, in particular with the 'Association of the Black Dragon',' writes Italian scholar Marzia Casolari in an article titled 'Hindutva's Foreign Tie-Up in the 1930s: Archival Evidence', published in a January 2000 edition of the Economic and Political Weekly. Savarkar and Bose were in touch at least from March 1938 onward, writes Casolari, citing letters exchanged between the two leaders. It was in one of these written exchanges that he informed Savarkar of his intention to open a branch of the Hindu Mahasabha in Japan. Did Bose's idea not suit the politics of India after Independence? Academic Satanik Pal said that the revolutionary was sacrificed at the altar of Nehruvian socialism, which sought to suppress the Hindu Mahasabha's influence on India's freedom movement: 'It remains to be seen if Abhishek Banerjee's tribute to Bose in Japan brings him back into focus from the footnotes of history.' Deep Halder is an author and a contributing editor at ThePrint. He tweets @deepscribble. Views are personal. (Edited by Zoya Bhatti)
