Parakram Diwas 2025 – January 23, 2025

History
Timeline
FAQs
Observe
Fact
Importance
Dates

Parakram Diwas (also called Parakram Divas) is celebrated on January 23 every year. It is an Indian national holiday marking the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (popularly called Netaji), a prominent nationalist, politician, and freedom fighter. This day was set aside by the government of India on Netaji’s 125th birthday to inspire Indians, especially the youth, to emulate his courage, doggedness, selfless service, and patriotic fervor even in the face of oppression.

History of Parakram Diwas

On January 19, 2021, the government of India through the Ministry of Culture issued a release that the nation would celebrate the posthumous 125th birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose starting on January 23, 2021. This holiday was called Parakram Diwas (or Parakram Divas), meaning “Day of Courage” or “Day of Valor,” to acknowledge Netaji’s sacrifice and immense contribution to India’s independence movement.Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa/Odisha. His parents were Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Dutt. A brilliant scholar and true Indian patriot, Netaji Bose obtained a B.A. in Philosophy at the Scottish Church College under the University of Calcutta. He subsequently went to complete the Indian Civil Service (I.C.S.) in England in 1919 and was fourth in his class with the highest mark in English. However, he resigned from his position in 1921 and returned to India because he didn’t want to serve the British government.Back in India, Netaji joined the Indian National Congress (I.N.C.) under the tutelage of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, who became his political mentor. He was also highly influenced by Swami Vivekananda’s ideologies and considered him his spiritual guru. In 1923, Bose became the President of the All India Youth Congress and later became the Congress President in 1938 and 1939.In 1942, during WWII, Netaji formed and led a 5,000-man force known as the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) in Southeast Asia with the slogan of ‘Delhi Chalo.’ He also founded a new party, “the Forward Bloc,” to garner popular support in his home state Bengal.Netaji reportedly died from third-degree burns sustained in a plane crash in Tohuku, Japanese Taiwan, on August 18, 1945. Although his demise was confirmed by the government in 2017, several conspiracy theories still exist about his disappearance.

Parakram Diwas timeline

1897

A Nationalist is Born

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is born in Cuttack, Orissa/Odisha.

1939

The Fallout

Netaji is forced to vacate his leadership position in the Indian National Congress due to ideological differences between Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress High Command.

1943

Delhi Chalo

Netaji announces the formation of the Indian National Army (I.N.A.) on October, 21 in Japanese-controlled Singapore.

2017

He’s Really Gone

India’s central government confirms Netaji’s death and the cause of his demise.

Parakram Diwas FAQs

What is Parakram Divas in India?

Parakram Divas or Parakram Diwas is the national day declared by the Central Government of India to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The day was declared in January 2021 as a day of courage to celebrate Netaji’s spirit of courage and patriotism on January 23 every year.

Which day is Parakram Divas?

Parakram Divas (day of valor) is observed on January 23 as an Indian national day. The day was inaugurated on January 19, 2021, as a day to commemorate prominent nationalist, politician, and leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary.

Why is Parakram Divas celebrated in India?

Parakram Divas is celebrated on January 23 to honor, celebrate and remember Netaji’s courageous spirit, devotion, commitment, and selfless service to India. The government of India also said the national day is aimed at inspiring citizens, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity, just like Netaji.

How to Observe Parakram Diwas

Join the national programs

You can simply observe Parakram Diwas by partaking in the national events as lined up by the central government. Be a part of the activities coordinated by the Union Ministry of Culture involving prominent citizens for the observance of this national day.
Read a book

A book based on Netaji’s letters titled “Book: Letters of Netaji (1926–1936)” was unveiled at the inaugural ceremony of Parakram Diwas. You can read this book and other relevant books about the lives and times of the iconic nationalist to understand his ideologies and tenets.
Teach others

How about educating others about the life and ideologies of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on Parakram Diwas? Use the opportunity to teach about patriotism, speaking up for freedom, courage, and standing against injustice, in your school or organization.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NETAJI SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE

Born into a large family

Netaji Bose was born in Cuttack, Bengal Province, and had 14 siblings.
Once assaulted a professor

Netaji thrashed a British Professor E.F. Otten in the Presidency College of Calcutta in 1916 for his racist remark against Indians and was initially expelled from the college.
Imprisoned 11 times

Netaji was jailed 11 times for his anti-British radical activities and agitation for freedom.
Ventured into journalism

Before his I.N.C presidency, Netaji started the newspaper “Swaraj” and later worked as editor of Chittaranjan Das’s newspaper “Forward.”
Secretly married a typist

Subhash married Emily Shankel, a typist he had met on a medical trip to Austria, and they had a daughter, Anita Bose.

Why Parakram Diwas is Important

It honors a patriotic nationalist

Netaji stood for India’s freedom and liberation from British colonization, and against oppressive forces. He was an icon, the true epitome of selfless service and patriotism.
It celebrates courage

The central government of India aptly named Netaji’s birthday “Parakram Diwas” because courage and valor were the virtues the nationalist truly lived by. Netaji’s posthumous birthday is celebrated as a national day to honor and remember his dogged spirit and selfless service to India.
Inspiring the youth

According to the official statement by the Ministry of Culture, Parakram Diwas is celebrated to inspire Indians, “especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as Netaji did, and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervor.”