Two Virtues of Netaji: Kindness and Firmness
Netaji's unique way of helping the poor: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was empathetic to the miserable since childhood. On his way to school, he would see a poor, frail old woman begging for alms. Seeing the old woman in such a debilitated state begging helplessly, the son of mother India was deeply aggrieved. He wanted to give monetary help to the old woman but he could not ask his father for money. So, an idea flashed through his mind. He stopped going to school by tram, instead he started to walk to school. He saved his tram fare and once a week, he would give all the money he had saved to the old woman. This continued for a few months. Sometime later his father came to know about the incident. He thought Subhash would not stop walking to school to help the old woman. So he sent a large sum of money to the woman. Thus, Subhash Chandra’s objective was fulfilled.
I will not accept this condition: Netaji became a threat to the British Government due to his revolutionary efforts for the freedom of India. The top brass of the British Government were greatly harassed by him. On various occasions, the British Government tried to detain Netaji but they did not succeed. Finally they resorted to Machiavellianism. Netaji and his compatriots were convicted of treason under a false case and were given the punishment of strict imprisonment for six months.The British High Court put a diplomatic condition on their release in order to calm the people’s resentment and show sympathy to Subhash Chandra. It stated: “Subhash and his companions would be released but they would not be allowed to participate in any political activity for six months.” To turn away from his goal of attaining freedom even for a second was like walking on cinder for him. How could he turn away for six months?
Netaji replied fearlessly, “This condition imposed on me is like allowing a person to live but not to breathe. I would refuse this condition which prohibits me from taking part in any political activity even if I were jailed for 10 years.” He accepted his Jail punishment, but would not accept the absurd conditions imposed by the British Government. After a few days, the Government was compelled to release him. Immediately after being released, he hoisted the Indian National Flag upon the Calcutta Corporation building for the first time astonishing the British rulers.
