On July 5, 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose announced the final war against the British with his slogan “Dilli chalo”. Fifteen cyclists pedalled from one INA (Indian National Army) Memorial to another in Kolkata to mark this moment and pay homage to Bengal’s hero and his fellow fighters.
The Azad Hind Bicycle Rally, which began at the INA Memorial near Press Club in Esplanade around 11am and concluded at the INA Memorial of Nilganj near Barrackpore, was organised by the Eastern Regional Office (Kolkata), Union ministry of tourism, in association with 100 Miles.
With patriotic chants of ‘Jai Hind’ and Netaji Zindabad’ on their lips, the cyclists pedalled through prominent spots in Kolkata and its outskirts.
A total of 15 cyclists participated in the rally.
Arijit Sen/ My KolkataThey were led by Swarojit Roy, proprietor of 100 Miles.
“Barrackpore of North 24-Parganas was the epicentre of the freedom struggle, as the sepoy mutiny or the First War of Independence led by Mangal Pandey began here. Many INA soldiers were detained as prisoners of war here,” he said.
The cyclists crossed the bustling CR Avenue before entering BT Road.
Ministry of tourism“The Indian government is promoting lesser-known symbols of the Indian freedom struggle as ‘Azadi Heritage Trail’ among tourists. Today’s initiative is a tribute to INA soldiers and freedom fighters led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Mangal Pandey. We hope both Indian and global tourists know about the INA Memorial of Barrackpore (Nilganj). These Azadi trails will be on every Indian’s itinerary in times to come,” said Sayak Nandi, assistant director, ministry of tourism, Government of India.
The journey ended at the INA Memorial of Nilganj near Barrackpore.
Ministry of tourism“This rally is a noble attempt to pay homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and countless other unsung heroes, who sacrificed everything for the sake of our freedom,” said Tamal Sanyal, research scholar and ex-CRPF scholar.
