By Colonel Gurubaksh Singh Dhillon
What reminds me of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose the most are those words which he spoke to us on various occasions, when we had the good luck to wage a regular war for the Independence of India under his command from 1943 to 1945. Apart from the clarity of his vision, spontaneity of speech, serenity and uniformity of thought, with which he explained with perfect ease various problems of our struggle and his plans, was the expression on his face which served as a window through which we could see where he was leading us to. So transparent were his dealings with us! A communication with him always left us more enlightened and responsible. It gave us confidence in the righteousness of our cause, in his ability to lead us and our nation to victory and freedom. We gained so much self-confidence that we felt that the very destiny was in our hands.
"Let me show a sample of his oration when he addressed us, the soldiers of the Indian National Army, for the first time after receiving our parade at Singapore on July the 5th 1943. His concluding words were :-
"I have said that today is the proudest day of my life. For an enslaved people, there can be no greater pride, no higher honour, than to be the first soldier in the Army of Liberation. But this honour carries with it a corresponding responsibility and I am deeply conscious of it. I assure you that I shall be with you in darkness and in sunshine, in sorrow and in joy, in suffering and in victory. For the present, I can offer you nothing except hunger, thirst, privation, forced marches and death. But if you follow me in life and in death, as I am confident you will, I shall lead you to victory and freedom. It does not matter who among us will live to see India free. It is enough that India shall be free and that we shall give our all to make her free. May God bless our Army and grant us victory in the coming fight.
Inquilab Zindabad !
Azad Hind Zindabad !"
Above words coming strait from the heart of the man of the splendours of Netaji Subhas went straight into our hearts. Those words left us honoured and proud of being in the INA. We felt we were important and responsible beings. Netaji\\'s achievements and sacrifices were already so great that no further decoration could enhance his majesty. On the contrary his being first amongst us was much needed recognition for us. He placed his confidence in us. Confidence is a great morale booster. It invigorated our spirits. Our chests expanded, with heads held high and feet dug deep into ground with the battle cry - CHALO Delhi on our lips, we followed the fluttering TRICOLOUR. And we sang :-
Kadam kadam Bharaey ja
Khushi Ke geet gaye ja
Ye Zindegi hai Qaum ki
Tu Waum par lutaey ja.
Within a few days of his arrival in the East, Netaji gave us Vanguard - the Rani Jhansi Regiment. We felt that the valour of the Goddess Durga had reincarnated in the daughters of Mother India. They manifested the blessings of the Goddess and power of her Shakti.
With our allies the Japanese our armies advanced against the armies of Great Britain and their allies who were in occupation of the Indian Subcontinent. Some of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War were fought in the spring of 1944 on the battle fields of Akyab, Arakan, Manipur, Imphal, Nagaland, Kohima and Red Hill. India\\'s Tricolour was planted on the liberated territory of India at Moirang in Manipur. Victory was a matter of touch and go. Then came rains. Our supply lines were cut off. Tables turned. Having lost one hundred thousand lives, we and our valiant allies the Japanese withdrew to the Irrawaddy line. Initiative passed on to opponent\\'s hands. Delhi started getting out of our reach. The Allies were winning everywhere. We had practically lost the War. When Netaji was asked, "Now what is left for us to fight for?" his prompt reply was, "To pay the price of India\\'s Liberty."
We continued our fight on the banks of the Irrawaddy at Nyaungu and Bagan, Mount Popa and Kyauk padaung, Magwe and so on, towards Prome and Pegu on the way to Rangoon. We fought against odds. What to talk about weapons and rations, even water was scarce. So what? Wasn\\'t it one of the things offered to us by Netaji during his very first address on 5th July.1943. His oft-repeated words, "There is no power on earth which can keep India enslaved any longer. India shall be free and before long." His prophetic words sustained our spirits. His appreciations of our actions on the battle fields kept up our morale. The fight was kept on.
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