Villager in Korei remembers association with his grandfather

 BY AKSHYA ROUT

Jajpur, Jan. 22; A 58-year Zakir Hussein Hazari remembers his grandfather’s association with Netaji Subash Chandra Bose in his village Korei in Jajpur district. “My grandfather Abdus Sattar Hazari had first associated with Subash Chandra Bose when the dreaded disease Cholera was spreading its tentacles in 1910s in many rural areas and hundreds of people had perished in the deadly disease. He died in 1970. My father three years back donated the wooden box of Netaji to the Netaji museum at the birth place of Subash Chandra Bose at Cuttack.

He also donated a lantern and stone glass of Netaji to Mohammed Mustaque a lawyer of Kendrapada who preserved these items in his museum in his house”, said Zakir.

A member of a Zamindari family his family members were well known in the region.

Late Fakira Hazari Sattar was a friend of Netaji Subash as both were studying in Ravenshaw Collegiate School at Cuttack for which Netajiused to come their house many times during his stay in the state. Subash and Abdus’ s father had treated many cholera affected persons in nearby villages.

Subash Bose had brought bleaching powders and some medicines in a wooden box to treat the patents.

Netaji during his stay in Sattar’s house used to drink water in that glass, said Zakir.

Subash Bose had stayed a week in the house of Sattar when he was treating the patients.

In 1920s Subash had also visited the house of Sattar and spent two days At that time the area was covered with hundreds of trees Subash used to take bath from a tank in the middle of the house for which the Sattar family are keeping the tank in a perfect manner even after so many years.

Each year the villagers observe birthday on 23rd January in the village by hoisting the flag of the Indian National Army.

My grandfather during lifetime believed that Netaji was not died in the air-crash.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was a legend in the Indian independence movement. Subhash Chandra Bose in order to free India from the shackles of British imperialism organized the Azad Hind Fauz (Indian National Army) from outside the country on October 21, 1943. His famous motto was “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”. He imprisoned 11 times by the British rulers for his anti- government activities.

With Japanese monetary, political, diplomatic and military assistance, he formed the Azad Hind Government in exile, regrouped and led the Indian National Army in battle against the allies at Imphal and in Burma. But few persons knew about Subash ‘s work in Korei and his long association with our family”, said DR Manzoor alli. Writer Er Taraprasad Mishra Said “Netaji is one of our most beloved national heroes who made extraordinary contribution to India’s freedom struggle. Netaji’s patriotism and sacrifice shall always inspire us. We are committed to strengthen the spirit of freedom so strongly espoused by him.