In Singapore, or Malaya as the region was then called, Netaji’s inspiration empowered hitherto subservient Indians, the bulk of whom worked under very poor conditions in plantations. He gave them a sense of their own worth and self-esteem and as their self- confidence grew, both men and women joined the INA in significant numbers.Thus in President Nathan’s view, Netaji had a dual role and contribution. The first was the obvious one whereby South East Asia became a front in the Indian National Movement. The second was more subtle and had the greatest relevance for Indians in Malaya and Singapore: his message and presence cut across linguistic, caste and religious differences and gave them a sense of themselves as part of a larger community with its own inherent dignity and worth. It was this exposure and early politicization that made Nathan and many like him into life-long admirers and led many families to cherish their ancestors’ association with Netaji and the INA.Subhas Chandra Bose’s legacy in Singapore is not uncontested. The majority of Singaporeans – ethnic Chinese– suffered greatly during the Japanese occupation and that is part of the island’s collective memory. So, memories of 1942-45 are divided. For the Indians the establishment of the Provisional Government of Free India and Bose’s presence marked the raising of their morale and identity; for the Chinese this was a time of hardship, humiliation and degrading treatment including many massacres at the hands of the Japanese. These divided memories inevitably form part of any discussion of Netaji and the INA in Singapore. Possibly Singapo-reans, both of Indians and Chinese origin, have wisely come to accept different readings and interpretations of the same history. If anything, their experience demonstrates that it is possible to live and even prosper with multiple, even conflicted, interpretations of history.I found many memories of Netaji in Singapore if one cared to look. The Cathay theatre where the Netaji film was screened was where he had made his first public appearance in early July 1943 and where later on 21 October 1943, he announced the formation of a Provisional Government of Free India; the Padang, or the Maidan as we call it in India, where he gave the INA or the Azad Hind Fauj their famous slogan and battle cry of ‘Dilli Chalo’; the Ramakrishna Mission where he often meditated; the different houses he lived and worked in and many others.Particularly poignant is the place on the coast where a memorial to the INA was constructed inscribed with the words Ettihad (Unity), Eatamad (Faith), Qurbani (Sacrifice). Once the British retook Singapore, amongst their first acts was dynamiting the structure. A historical marker now identifies the spot.
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