A Bikash Bhattacharya portrait of Netaji

Jan. 21: More than half a century after Independence, the city is set to get its first statue of one of the most charismatic leaders of the freedom struggle, Subhash Chandra Bose.

Greater Guwahati Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birth Anniversary Celebration Committee, Kalapahar, is making arrangements to celebrate Netaji?s birthday on January 23 in a ?grand manner?. The highlight of the celebrations will be the installation of a fibreglass statue of Bose at Cycle Factory Point, Kalapahar. This will be the first statue of Bose in the city.

The two-day celebrations will kick off with a colourful procession with the statue, donated by Gautam Roy, minister of social welfare. The 12-feet tall statue depicting Bose astride a horse has cost Rs 1.5 lakh.

A blood donation camp will also be held at the Vivekananda School campus to mark the great leader?s birthday. MP Kirip Chaliha will inaugurate the camp.

?We hope the celebration will achieve its objective ? spreading Netaji?s messages of national integration and peace. We expect a hearty response,? said Sankar Chakraborty, general secretary of the organising committee and the ward commissioner.

?We have been celebrating Netaji Jayanti for the past four years following an initiative by Pankaj Bora, the former education minister, who is also our chief patron. It was Bora himself who proposed that a statue of Nataji should be installed,? said Chakraborty.

Several prominent personalities have confirmed their participation.

While the ceremonial flag will be hoisted by West Guwahati MLA Hemanta Talukdar, minister of state for planning and development Himanta Biswa Sarma will release a souvenir.

Lt Gen. Umesh Dev Choudhury, a veteran of the Indian National Army, headed by Nataji, will attend an open session on one of the country?s greatest sons.