THE NETAJI CENTRE

June 20, 2008 by anuj

There are about 2,000 former members of the Indian Independence League (IIL) and the Indian National Army (INA) still living in Malaysia and Singapore. As there is a little contact among them, and it was felt by some that the spirit of Netaji should be passed on to the next generation of Malaysian Indians to remind them of the exploits of the INA under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, The Netaji Centre was established as a non-profit charitable organization in 1977.
 
Its main aims and objectives are as follows:

(1) To undertake and carry on the study of the life, activities and teachings of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

(2) To collect and preserve historical documents, manuscripts, books, leaflets, periodicals, photographs, films, records and other materials relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in proper libraries and museums.

(3) To provide facilities to students and scholars for research into the life and work of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

(4) To print and publish books, periodicals or other publication dealing with the life and work of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose or with historical, political and allied subjects which the NRB thinks desirable for the promotion of its object.

(5) To train personnel for carrying out the objects of the NRB and to incur necessary expenses for the purpose.
 
Among the founder members were Messrs K Gurupatham (deceased), A Raman, Mohammad Yosoff, Americk Singh Gill, N Veeriah, GK Krishnan, KG Nair, Janaki Nahappan, R Kannusamy, S Virik, Hagadish Sharma, SP Narayanasamy, M Gandhinathan, S Packirisamy, NG Chaudhury, S Govindaraj, PG Bani, V Marimuthu. Later more members including SP Velusamy, SV Vadivale and V Samy came into the fold.
 
The Centre kept in close touch with the NRB in Calcutta and received full co-operation and assistance in setting up the Centre here. At present, about 700 former INA and IIL members are registered with the Centre. Despite financial constrains, the Centre has sent small delegations to attend seminars, conferences and other celebrations connected with Netaji in India.
 
The Netaji Centre has also appealed to the Govternment of India through the Indian High Commissioner in Malaysia for recognition of its work here and for assistance by way of seats in Indian Universities for the children of former INA members.
 
The Centre presented a detailed memorandum to the Indian High Commissioner on 11th March, 1983 to be forwarded to the Indian Government. The main points set out in the memorandum are as follows:

* (a) That early arrangements be made to bring back the ashes of Netaji from the Renkoji Temple in Japan to India and also for disbursement to Kuala Lumpur;

(b)   To erect a memorial in Imphal for the INA personnel who perished there, for which the Japanese are willing to share expenses under the sponsorship of General Fujiwara;

(c)   To help in re-erecting the memorial of the fallen INA personnel in Singapore which was destroyed by the returning British forces ; and to seek co-operation of the Singapore Govt in this regard; and to set up a Netaji Foundation which will grant scholarships to Malaysian students of all races to study in Indian institutions of higher learning.
 
The Netaji Centre is fortunate that it has received so much goodwill from friends and well-wishers. We are deeply indebted to Dato Seri Samy Vellu, president of the Malaysian Indian Congress who is also the Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Posts in Malaysia. Our thanks are also due to him for the generous financial assistance he has accorded and the unqualified support he has extended to the centre.
 
It is our hope that the present generation of Malaysian Indians and those to follow will Imbibe the spirit of Netaji, to toil selflessly to thrust the community towards progress and prosperity.

* Mission Netaji doesn't concur with the view that the ashes kept in Renkoji Temple are of Netaji Subhas Bose.