Netaji's Birth Anniversary observed

The 114th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was observed across West Bengal on Sunday.

All India Forward Block State General Ashok Ghosh on Sunday marked the beginning of the celebration by garlanding the statue of Netaji.

The main programme, however, was held at Red Road where Left Front leaders, including Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Left Front Chairman Biman Bose and Ashok Ghosh were present.

Presiding over the function, Forward Bloc State General Secretary Ashok Ghosh stressed the need to inculcate the ideals of Netaji to save the nation from evil designs by the terrorists and anti-nationals and strengthen the country's national integrity.

"We are at the crossroads of terrorism and acts of anti-nationals, which we have to overcome encouraged by the ideals of Netaji," Ghosh said.

Ghosh, however, regretted that despite requests, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was yet to announce January 23, Birthday of Netaji, as 'Desh Prem Divas'. He demanded that "the PM must announce it immediately for a nationwide celebration".

Later in the day Ghosh garlanded the statue of Bose at Salt Lake and inaugurated the programme on Netaji.

Bhattacharjee, on the other hand, unveiling the statue at Noyapara in North 24 Parganas said, "Netaji was a socialist and wanted equality for all his dream was not fulfilled".

Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, organised a blood donation camp at South Kolkata, where 819 people donated blood, crutch and wheel chairs to the physically challenged and mosquito nets to the poor.

Trinamool leader Nirmal Majhi, Mayor Sovon Chattopadhyay and Partho Maharaj of Ramkrishna Mission were present on the occasion.