Filmmaker Gopal Ghose donating two books to the Netaji Birthplace Museum in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Jan. 22: Visitors coming to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum at Odia Bazar have new things to cheer about as two rare books on the freedom fighter have found place in its library.

The two books, written in Bengali — Bharat Pathik, an autobiography by Subhas Chandra Bose and Subhas Chandra ra Antardhyan Kahani, story of his miraculous escape, have been donated by noted artist and filmmaker Gopal Ghose to the museum ahead of his 115th birth anniversary on January 23.

Subhas Chandra Bose had started to pen down his autobiography in the form of Bharat Pathik, that depicts his early life and schooling in Cuttack.

The autobiography, printed some 66 years ago (in the year 1355 of Bengali calendar) also contains handwritten letters of Bose to his mother.

The second book, Subhas Chandra ra Antardhyan Kahani, which deals with his escape from India, has been written by Uttam Chand Malhotri. He had given shelter to Bose in Kabul where Bose had spent three months at his house.

“I had bought the two books from Calcutta during the 1940s at a cost of Rs 4.50 and Rs 2.25. Both the books are considered very rare,” said Ghose.

Ghose said both the books would be helpful for the young generation to understand the legendary freedom fighter’s personal life more closely.

Bose was born on January 23, 1897, at his parental house at Odia bazaar which has now been converted into the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum.

At present, the museum has a strong collection of over 500 books in the library and 13 galleries depicting different phases of Bose’s life.

Apart from this, the galleries also depict the student and political life of Bose, his time in the Indian National Army, the provisional government of Azad Hind, the Azad Hind Radio and the National Bank of Azad Hind.

Old furniture and articles used by the legend have also been kept intact in the museum.“Both the books are of historical importance. Efforts will be initiated towards their preservation. Similarly, the work for translating the books written in Bengali to Odia will also be undertaken,” said the museum’s curator J.P. Das.

Das also said a sand art by artist Pramod Patnaik would be the centre of attraction on the 115th birth anniversary of Bose at the museum.

“A replica of Janakinath Bhavan with the picture of Bose, the national flag and emblem of the Indian National Army will also find place in the sand art. The sand art will be completed by tonight,” said artist Pramod Patnaik. Five artists are accompanying him in building the 8ft structure.