Giddapahar house where Netaji stayed brings back memory of sacrifices ofGorkha community in freedom struggle

Thapa paid homage and offered  floral tribute to the portrait of Netaji at Chowrasta on the occasion of his 127th birth anniversary. 

EOI, DARJEELING, JANUARY 23, 2024 : Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chairman, Anit Thapa said freedom fighter  Subhas Chandra Bose played a major role in glorifying and making people aware about the sacrifice of the Gorkha community and their contributions in the freedom struggle of the country. On Tuesday, 

Thapa paid homage and offered  floral tribute to the portrait of Netaji at Chowrasta on the occasion of his 127th birth anniversary. 

The Darjeeling District Information and Culture Department organized the anniversary event. The GTA chairman said it was important to remember Bose and follow his words which remained pertinent even at this time of age. 

The freedom fighter had a close affinity for the Gorkha community.

"He (Bose) was close to the Gorkhas. He trusted the Gorkhas. He enrolled Gorkhas in his army and fought together for the independence of our great country. In fact, it is because of Netaji that we Gorkhas are known not only across the country but all over the world," said Thapa. 

The West Bengal Government has developed the house at Giddapahar in Kurseong where Bose lived briefly during the freedom struggle; turning it into a tourist spot. 

In 1936 the freedom fighter was put under house arrest by the British and stayed at Giddapahar in the house owned by his brother Sarat Chandra Bose. The house was bought by Sarat Chandra in 1922 and was witness to important incidents associated with the lives and struggles of the Bose brothers

"The hills and Netaji share a special bond. Netaji stayed in Kurseong for a while during the freedom movement," said Thapa. 

The hills of Darjeeling continue to yearn and strive for a separate Gorkhaland state since the 1980s, even as hundreds of lives have been laid over the years for the struggle. 

The Bose house has been converted into a pictorial gallery on Netaji, developed by the Indian Museum, Kolkata. 

Just above the house is located the Center for  Studies in Himalayan Languages, Society and Culture which was established in 2001 by the West Bengal government. Four rooms of the house have been utilized to display photographs and other artefacts related to Bose.

The first room captures the essence of Giddapahar and its  surroundings and the second room reflects the role of the Bose brothers in the freedom struggle and various correspondences with Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore. 

The third room is concerned with displays connected with the Indian National Army (INA) that Bose raised and the role of the hill people in the national movement, while the fourth room has been designated as the Period Room where the belongings of Netaji and other members of the Bose family have been put on display.

Darjeeling district magistrate, Preeti Goyal said people should learn from the life of Netaji. "Darjeeling is a special place for Netaji. He is an example we should strive to emulate. We should follow the path shown by the great freedom fighter," she said.