Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose – India’s Greatest Patriot
Monday, August 13th, 2012
Addressing the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institutions during Summer Course 1990 Bhagawan spoke about India’s foremost Freedom Fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, narrating a beautiful incident depicting Bose’s selfless love for his Motherland.
What kind of existence will you have if you do not revere the Motherland as your mother? While Subhash Bose was studying in the Calcutta University, there was an English professor, who used to speak disparagingly about India and Indians. Subhash Bose, who was intensely patriotic, could not bear listening to such derogatory remarks about the Motherland. He was patient for a while, but when the professor continued in the same vein, he got up, jumped over three desks, caught the Englishman by the neck and beat him with sandals. Bose declared, “I can bear anything, but I cannot bear my Motherland being abused and ridiculed. It does not matter what happens to me, but I must defend my country’s honour.”
The students who watched the incident were stunned. The English professor cried out: “Help me! Help me!” News of the incident reached the authorities, who held an emergency meeting and rusticated Subhash Bose for five years. Subhash was determined to dedicate his entire life to the service of the Motherland. As Subhash could not continue his studies in Calcutta, his father sent him to London. But even there Subhash cherished his love for the Motherland. He was determined to finish his studies and return to India to serve the Motherland. He studied hard and passed the I. C. S. examination. He returned to India and plunged into national politics. “I owe my food and everything else to my country. I must be grateful to the nation by serving it.” This was his firm resolve.
Here is his example. You students should realise what you owe to your educational institutions for your status and position in life and be ever grateful to them. This is the pledge you should take. This is true sacrifice. Giving up selfishness, developing faith in the Divine, you must realise the Supreme.
II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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