Kuala Lumpur, February 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with veterans of the Indian National Army (INA) during his two-day official visit to Malaysia. The INA, also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle. Modi highlighted the historical contributions of the INA and its legacy among the Indian community in Southeast Asia.
In a heartfelt conversation, Prime Minister Modi met veteran Jayaraj Raja Rao, calling the encounter deeply inspiring. Sharing photos of their meeting on the social media platform X, he expressed, “Meeting INA veteran Jayaraj Raja Rao was very special. His life is filled with courage and sacrifice. Listening to his experiences was truly motivating.”
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the legacy of the INA and its founder, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He stated, “We will always be indebted to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the brave men and women of the INA, whose valor helped shape India’s destiny.”
Former Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, Periasamy Kumaran, emphasized the significance of the Prime Minister’s interaction with the veterans, describing it as a memorable moment.
Addressing a press conference during his visit, he remarked, “The meeting with the two surviving veterans of the Indian National Army, led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, was indeed special.”
Earlier, on Saturday, PM Modi addressed the Indian community in Malaysia, acknowledging the historical sacrifices made by people of Indian origin in the region during India’s struggle for independence. He noted, “To make India a free country, your ancestors made great sacrifices. Many of them never saw India but were among the first to join Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army.”
Discussing efforts to preserve Netaji’s legacy in Malaysia, the Prime Minister announced the renaming of the Indian Cultural Centre in Malaysia to honor him. He also praised the initiatives of the Netaji Service Centre and the Netaji Welfare Foundation.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose took leadership of the INA in 1943 and reformed the force after arriving in Southeast Asia from Germany. From his bases in Singapore and Malaya (now Malaysia), he rebuilt and expanded the INA, gathering Indian civilians and prisoners of war during World War II.
It is noteworthy that on October 21, 1943, Netaji established the Provisional Government of Free India, which played a symbolic role in India’s independence movement. The historical significance of the INA is closely tied to the Indian community residing in present-day Malaysia and Singapore, as the force was primarily formed in these regions.
Initially, prisoners of war formed the core of the army, but the Indian civilian population in Southeast Asia contributed a large number of volunteers to strengthen the movement. A notable formation within the INA was the Rani Jhansi Regiment, an all-female unit composed of Indian women from Southeast Asia.
Many of these women had never set foot in India, yet they maintained a deep connection to their Indian heritage, culture, and values passed down through generations. This regiment became a symbol of women’s participation and empowerment in India’s struggle for independence, maintaining its historical significance within the INA’s legacy.