The Man

1897, India was a British colony.

Indians have had a fair deal of torture, injustice, and exploitation. A surge of unity against the British rule and to free the nation had ignited in many hearts before and still. People wanted the end of domination on them and be led by their own people, by their laws and sentiments. The Great revolt of 1857 had shaken the high esteem of the rulers but instilled a sense of pride and confidence to pull down the banners of foreign rule on their land. Many more incidents had happened which slowly yet steadily fueled the anger and willpower of the nationalists. Warriors and leaders had emerged. The feeling of independence was gradually seeping in every heart which was Indian.

23 January, the same year 1897, a boy was born in Cuttack to a Bengali Family, who sparked, reshaped, and spread the Indian National Movement to extreme supremacy.

Being a scholar from a missionary led school and a member of a culturally rich family, he from a very starting understood what brainwashing and misguidance were being done by the British to his fellow Indians. Religious freedom would cost them unity and so, they excelled in propagating their views in schools in order to raise men in their favor. He was bright and a wise kid from the very beginning and could identify how his youth was being wronged for ages. The leader in him bloomed at this point in time and he established a troupe of youngsters to spread and propagate his religious stories and valor. He instilled in them the feeling of love for his nation and traditions. The troupe worked through street skits, banner and poster making, awareness rallies, and cultural theme fares, all under the nose of the management team of the school. Despite several warnings and reluctance from the school authorities, the boy and the committee under his leadership, never gave in to their demands. They kept on protesting the unacceptable education criteria in the British governed schools. They couldn’t even switch to local schools for all government post aspirants had to be qualified from British affiliated schools and colleges in India. Zero prospects of advancements for their students and minimal funds for their poor functioning had left no faith in the upper strata of society. The committee of students helped local schools and their fellow batch mates there.

However, kindness wasn’t awarded well! The entire batch involved in that committee was debarred from appearing in their matriculate examinations! A more regressive protest now, yet, efforts went in vain. The authority made their decision firmly and the students were left at their mercy. A whole year was drained fruitless for so many students. Being the leader, He was objected and held responsible for this unfortunate event in a student’s life by their parents. His reputation was pulled down and the college made no less effort to paint him in a bad picture. The committee members were posterized and set as an example for those who wished to go against the guidelines set by them. Even the next year as promised, the members were not permitted to appear in the examinations. Frantic by this betrayal, He decided to take up the examinations by enrolling his name from the local school. He had all the knowledge and owing to his brain cell, for the first time, a local schoolboy topped the matriculate examinations.

An agitation stirred from top to bottom within the British management office. People couldn’t believe this news. The high ranked official found it almost impossible to have occurred. A rechecking order was summoned by the educational authorities, in which they failed miserably. According to the existing regulations and scholarships, The Boy was awarded the opportunity to study abroad for his higher education. Elated to the core, he and his family arranged for the finances to support him for studies. However, the authorities provided him with no esteemed choices of Universities rather lower-ranked ones. This hadn’t occurred before. Upon questioning, the authority vaguely answered that his prohibition from his school and association with small scale local school cuts down on his credibility points. This absurd reason was not at all digested by him. He turned against the rule and decided to contribute to the ongoing struggle for independence.

Upon being given the University in Afghanistan, he accepted it as his fate, optimistically thinking it to be some good fortune for him in the store. His college life, in Afghanistan, was full of activities. His leadership qualities shone back there. Multiple occasions of bravery and leadership. The newly Independent Country told him the way they struggled and freed their land from British Governance. Their stories greatly inspired him and instilled a stern determination in him to work for his nation on a similar frequency. The State had been independent, still, an influence was present on their people. He objected to it and in return urged the native and nationalists there to demand complete freedom. After fruitful years, his graduation was completed.

During the course, he met eminent people from Afghanistan who suggested he not return to India before having a stronghold and influence upon the superior authorities. To strengthen his grip, he applied for Post-Graduation in Universities of Great Britain. He stayed there for a year and realized it was futile to be their foot-licker for every aspect of growth. The discrimination and the blot on his reputation from the schooling years made his short stay miserable. The boldness and self-respect in him forced him to drop out of their land. After securing the fourth position in the first year, he wrote a letter to the higher management authorities stating his protest, disapproval, and discomfort in their atmosphere and system. He brazenly declared his views, all against them and their laws. Finally, he declared he willingly leaves their institution as a sign of disrespect because of their rigidity and unfairness.

An extremely controversial step, he left England. His name became a rage all across. A huge stance by an Indian on the British grounds. Indians before were crazed by the glitter of studying in top universities and getting a high-paid job in the government of India. This was the first blow to a myth which the British had harbored for long, until now. This incident spread like a wildfire. Nazi Germans saw an excellent opportunity to play a political game. They invited The Man to their great Universities, with the promises of respect and brighter exposure to world affairs. The Nazis were staunch enemies of the Great Britain and thought of plaguing their image on worldwide politics. They openly disgraced them basing their point quoting His example. He was granted opportunities and given ranks in local body governments. There, as a rule, students were given basic military trainings as well. He was an enthusiast, he performed excellently. Soon, many Indians came flooding in universities of Germany, in hope of better upbringing. A stronghold was kept. The Man was a leader in the making.

He was arranging rallies, suppressing revolts, and performing tasks of administration. During his last month in Germany, he was invited to the Council of Legislation of Germany, to acknowledge his outstanding efforts in nationalism. Germany was kind enough to him. The Aryan connect and common rivals proved to be beneficial in maintaining a decent relation amongst both of them. He returned to India and was hailed as a hero by the indigenous and the INC. However, the British Officials were fuming and eagerly waiting for a chance to wrong him. Congress invited him to work with them. This, further, was seen as a sign of disrespect to the current governing body, Britain. Congress was, already, causing unrest throughout the country. The inclusion of The Man was an added anxiety to them. The Man was aggressive and passionate. Afghans and, most recently, Germans had stuffed his brain with philosophies of independence and self-esteem, all against the favor of the British.

As usual– at the Madras session of the Congress. He has shouldered the responsibility to preside over the session. In his first presidency at the Congress, he drafted a rather peculiar method of conduct. Days prior to the session; elaborate circulation of his ideas and philosophies was done along with rallies in various nearby towns and villages, skits, and patriotic songs, and cultural programs. The session, however, got canceled. The Government declared a breach of rules and arrested Him along with all the members involved in the practices declared as illegal. A brief period of imprisonment after which, he rejoined the Congress. Meanwhile, owing to his global appraisal, he was invited by the Austrian Regime to certify and entitle his efforts. It was here, that he met Emilie Schenkl, an Austrian Advocate who was principal in framing their Foreign Policies for the Country. It was on her suggestion and invitation that he arrived in Austria. She was very inspired and moved by his chivalry and persona. He found her a nice person. They got married after a year.

However, they never could explore their wedlock well for he was constantly traveling from land to land. He couldn’t work a lot in India. Bulks of invitations, he received from nations far and wide. Britain’s rivals cashed every opportunity to praise him and congratulate his bravery. He visited Southeast Asian colonies, on recommendations of nationalists there. He gave motivational speeches and progressed his reach far and wide. His outspoken nature and defaming Great Britain in the world arena was considered a malignant step by the British Rule. As a result, they summoned him, penalizing, forcing him to accept that he is wrong and a term of five years imprisonment. He chose to remain mum to their response rather, he fled to Indonesia and organized a committee of Hindus residing there. The committee was sculpted as a staunch protestor of wrong happening in India. No response and, on top of it, establishing an organization against them infuriated their fury to extremity. They cancelled his citizenship of India and declared him a non-Indian forever. After seven months, he was blacklisted in his motherland; an intruder, criminal if entered in India again without agreeing to the conditions.

He need not enter the nation because other countries, prominently in Southeast Asia, were granting him their citizenship benevolently. But he refused, thanking their gestures and stating his love for his motherland. He wishes to be always called Indian, no matter if intruder refuse. According to him, they had removed him from India but will never remove India from him. He was respectfully received as a refugee in Vietnam, Taiwan, Tibet, and many more. He never lost touch with Germany. In almost four years, he had set up many organizations, pan pacific, all working towards the empowerment of needy government and citizens and spread of his ideologies. Free India, in all respect, was an unsaid ultimate goal. His organizations worked prolifically. Many hard-earned glories and laurels were brought to their name. All credit went to him. British were crotchety now, for every now and then, world affair had his name in highlight. They wondered if keeping him away was a good decision altogether.

Anyhow, He now urged to be back in India. He called his men, pulled off a heist, and intruded the Indian Mainland! He had his identity altered. Via fake identity, supported by Indonesia, gained access to India. Here, he was stunned to watch his popularity. It was like an end to an exile. He felt serene to be back on his soil and amidst his people. The fire of independence was well ablaze; he was happy to see it. People had never forgotten him, he was still fresh in their memory. They had celebrated his accolades and felt proud daily. With no accurate news whatsoever, they were quite anxious to know his whereabouts. About thirteen months, he spent his time in India figuring the new nation. He observed the management there and made arrangements for something big. He finally, knocked at the gates of Congress. They were taken aback by his presence. Only eminent members were informed about the true identity. He anonymously worked within the Congress for another ten months. On the death anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, a grand honoring in his name was organized. British Officials, Congress Leaders, and locals were invited to witness it. In remembering, the next celebrated radical revealed his identity, publicly!

A stir; unsettlement! Shocked! British lost their skin tone, pale. He blamed and pointed the loose management and administration of the State. How else could an intruder so popular gain entry? He openly criticized the government for their failure in his case suggesting their unworthiness. He boldly called them cowards and moron who couldn’t see a wave pulling towards them which will destruct them exhaustively. While the British were super annoyed, Indians reveled. They saw homecoming of a hero which was bound to work for them immensely. In his honor, the next session of INC was decided to be presided by him. The British called for his arrest but he argued that he is nowhere on the land on paper and if he hasn’t arrived how could he be present. He intelligently, circulated his fake presence in various countries via his working bodies there. He even threatened them to plague their reputation in the world front. His reach was global and firm in various important European nations and the British fear it. Also, if the news leak of the poor administration and law would leak, that would ruin the reputation and Britain dreaded it. Anyhow, without scraping off his name, the British Government allowed his stay. Similar actions like back in Madras, he organized an elaborative cultural and political awareness campaign before the session. Conversely, this time the authority let them have their fun. The session was presided over and was very positively received.

Though, His views were aggressive, revolutionary and violent. He emphasized on the use of force and arms to achieve what is rightfully ours. No giving in to their demands. A strict NO to when needed. This, on the other hand, triggered Gandhi Ji. He had from so late urged non-violence and peaceful measures. But The Man openly proclaimed against the ideal of such a respected soul. He wasn’t agreeing with the old man, though his principles were obsolete and unyielding. This caused a major rift within the INC; alarming!

Citizens were torn between them both; two of them were highly sung heroes of the times. His supporters openly adopted his philosophies and methods. While Gandhi’s devotees were shook with the realization that their doctrines were considered by many vain. A tragic blow to the admiration of Gandhian principles. Anyways, the next president of INC had to be elected. And Indians raised their demand of His Presidency. Though, he refused. But the rift continued.

Meanwhile, He was stuck in the country but never ceased his contact from all his organization. His work continued and so did his popularity manifold. After three years of toils, he finally gave in to popular request. He enrolled for the presidency. A major blow was to Gandhi Ji. He gave candidature to one of his entrusted member. But seeing the inclination of commoners, Gandhi and his staunch followers, adopted an unfair measure. They sought British’s aid and requested them to take some legal action against Him. Leaking information of his intrusion and tricks, they exposed Him. Few days before the declaration of result, He learnt about the treachery he had been a victim of; that the Official from Foreign Office were up to him. This hurt him deeper than ever. Before anyone could lay his hands on him, he fled to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an independent tribal archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. Not in the clutches of the British, no action was against him. He worked from there. No returning to his loyal land in pacific, he stayed on the islands. He, now, set up INA, Indian National Army, to fervor and stir the same emotions which his other organizations were doing abroad. Contributing to his status, the army recruited strong youth in abundance. His training in the German University was being utilized. The army was capable of pulling off extreme tasks. It was trained to resolve all matters, internal and external. The members worked within and outside the country. They were aggressive youngsters who were practically taking over the nation. Pleased, by this, Adolf Hitler, invited Him to Germany. He saw a similar pattern in his ways and Nazis. He was awarded with advanced arms and powerful soldiers to help INA. Gradually, all his organizations in the Pacific, amalgamated into INA. A big pan world army was set up. It gained humongous prominence and did a lot of good work throughout. Important events in Tibet and Myanmar were carried off by INA under his supervision. Soon, the news of His return to Indian Politics were ignited.

But meanwhile, Second World War broke out. Owing to his reverence, He was summoned to assist his friendly nations. Torn between love for homeland and friendship, he finally agreed to help as much he could. INA’s presence within the country diminished. India was fighting on the behalf of The Great Britain while INA had ties with German forces. Japan was involved too. He had to shift his base of INA from Andaman to Japan. There he even formed a sub-base in Russia. The war was on unleash in full swing. A critical situation. Towards 1945, while travelling from this Russian base to Japan’s, He was maliciously conspired and dragged to a plane crash!

The war ended with the atomic bombing of the USA on Japan. Britain recovered images of the plane wreck. He was declared dead. A hush in the Indian Subcontinent. Their NETAJI had died!

Obituaries were circulated, rituals and functions were organized in his name and people hailed him as their hero. An eminent personality who contributed in every possible way to Indian struggles and took the nation’s name to global recognition. Strangely, the INA was operational. No clear leader was prominent in the news. Everything was functioning as an autonomous manner without any figure to lead them. No clarification was claimed by anyone from within the organization on the burning question. They kept on working in India and other colonies seeking freedom. After two more years, 1947, 15 August, India was liberated. Free India.

All happy and giddy. Processions and patriotic songs. Peaceful. Nonetheless, INA contributed largely. But soon, the offices and centers INA on Indian soils begun to shut. The members, left the country. Not even their families were informed. No account, whatsoever, of their departure. Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos they were their new locations. None could be traced properly. INA soldier seemed to be working in a close-knit network though. A Queen ant was guiding them, definitely. A committee was set up to investigate into the mater, but vain. They were all masters in their fields. No clue. This happened in other nations too. Once, their objective of independence and rehabilitation was conclude they fed from there too. Within next decade or so; INA dissolved. They rather vanished. Even British authority looked into the matter but nothing substantial was found. Case closed.

Years later, Netaji returned to India!

How intelligently he had faked his death to disappear from papers which bind his abilities to perform. He travelled from place to place, managing INA and instructing them. Every INA soldier was advised to return to his or her home ground stealthily with different identity so that none can file any case against you or take any action which they found inappropriate. They all had, now, back on their respective nations. But every one lived in desolation, far from families, away from their relatives; on their motherland, free soils. This was what they all exactly wanted. Netaji travelled a lot in free India. Stayed at scores of places, before ultimately resigning to a Brahmin community center near Ayodhya and leading a completely anonymous life. He delivered sermons and held meeting. All these years he had feared treason. His own men plotting against him in the past had created a vacuum in his heart, which lasts even today. Over a hundred years of existence, the man is of steel nerves. Penetrating nations, gaining fame and pulling down his enemies, nothing easy he took. He lived with the fear of his fellow Indians disclosing his identity and plans. Living anonymous lives in different identities, he had mastered now. He wanted a free India, he has it; he was in it. He hopes it better future, day in day out. He encouraged youth, will always do. Ethan Hunt, Raw Agents, CIA- Everyone seems to be following his footsteps. Netaji for a reason!