|
Azad Hind Fouz Smriti Mahavidyalaya is named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army (the ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ / ‘Free India Army’) to honour the indomitable spirit of Netaji whose legacy is an inspiration to all.  Captain General Mohan Singh; an officer of the British-Indian Army, on 17th February, 1942 in Singapore, with Indian prisoners of war captured by Japan. However, it was disbanded in December 1942 owing to differences between Captain Singh and the Japanese military. The Indian National Army was revived under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose whose renown as a nationalist was well-known to the Indian people in South-East Asia and the Imperial Japan. Netaji took command of the Azad Hind Fauj on 25th August, 1943, proclaiming: “Give Me Blood and I Promise You Freedom” (Burma, 4th July, 1944). Indian civilians in South-East Asia and prisoners of war joined the Indian National Army in large numbers which became the largest volunteer army in history with over 2.5 million soldiers. The provisional Government of Azad Hind (Independent India) was established on 21st October 1943 by Netaji with the support of Japan and was recognised by the Axis Powers of World War II (Germany, Italy and Japan). On 22nd October 1943, Netaji launched the ‘Rani of Jhansi Regiment’ of the Azad Hind Fauj. It was an armed unit of women warriors headed by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan. It is believed to be the first female infantry in military history.
The INA overcame great challenges in North-East India and won its first victory on Indian soil in Manipur and unfurled the Indian Flag in April 1944. However, World War II came to an end on 2nd September, 1945, with the victory of the Allied powers. With the surrender of Japan after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the official Japanese radio announcement of Netaji’s death in August 1945, the INA was disbanded.
The Azad Hind Fauj could not secure Indian independence but it accomplished Netaji’s strategic aim of awakening the Indian people to fight for freedom. Millions of Indians realised that the British were not invincible, so did the British who realised that the British Raj in India was decisively shattered. On 4th March 1946, Lord Frederick Pethick-Lawrence, Secretary of State for British-India, wrote to the British Prime Minister, Clement Attlee: “… India will not remain within the Empire, and as this will affect the King’s title …”
Honouring the Legacy: Azad Hind Fouz Smriti Mahavidyalaya honours the legacy of Netaji in various ways. The birthday of Netaji (Parakram Diwas) is celebrated on 23rd January every year. A One-day international seminar was organized on “Legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose : An Inspiration to Youth” on 23rd January, 2024. 
The new Academic Building of the College is named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as the ‘Netaji Block’: 
The Departments of English and History organized a Study Tour to Bose House in Rishra (Hooghly, West Bengal) on 20th December, 2023.
This is the garden-house of Sarat Bose, an eminent lawyer, politician and freedom fighter and also the elder brother of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Initially, ‘Bose House’ was a weekend getaway for the Bose family when they resided in Calcutta, but it held far greater political and strategic importance. The house saw significant meetings with the Axis powers during World War II and Netaji became a frequent visitor to this house. After Netaji’s daring escape from his Elgin Road house on 16th January, 1941, while under house arrest by the British police, he travelled via Grand Trunk Road and spent a few hours at Sarat Bose’s garden house before proceeding towards Burdwan.
 A Video tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose by a student of our College - Suparna Paul, Department of English, Semester III on the occasion of the One-Day International Seminar: |
