Today is Subhas Chandra Bose’s 128th birth anniversary. His birthday is commemorated across the nation to honour his role in the independence movement in India.
Japan’s declaration of war on America and Britain came as a golden opportunity to Bose. He felt it was better to carry out his campaign from the Far East than from Europe.
Germany offered to take Bose to the Cape of Good Hope in Africa in its submarine provided Japan agreed to pick him up at that point. The preparations took 14 months. Bose left Keil in a German submarine on February 2, 1943, and reached Tokyo on May 11.
After much brainstorming, Japan and German officials decided that Bose would be taken to the Madagascar coast by a German submarine and from there to Malaya by a Japanese sub. Safrani alone accompanied Bose in the hazardous odyssey. Travelling in a submarine meant a lot of inconvenience. Limited space did not permit standing erect. Inside, it reeked of diesel oil. Even food smelt like diesel.
At one stage, enemy ships spotted the sub and fired at it. The shells exploded dangerously close to the submarine, rocking it wildly, but Bose remained unperturbed, causing well-trained submarine crew members to marvel at his composure.
They had to undergo another hair-raising experience on the Madagascar coast, rendezvous for German and Japanese submarines. The sea became stormy and rose in huge tidal waves on account of heavy gales. Bose had to shift from one submarine to the other and the sea was far from calm. In the normal course, they would have crossed over in a ‘dinghy’ boat but the stormy conditions ruled it out. Time was running out, but the sea refused to relent. Remaining on the surface for a long would attract the notice of enemy ships and result in wastage of precious fuel. It was also not safe to use radio communication.
At this stage, two ace swimmers of the German sub jumped into the waters, moved to the Japanese sub, and connected the two with a strong rope. It was suggested that Bose and Safrani get into a dinghy boat and reach the other sub with the help of the rope. It was risky, but there was no other way. Finally, Bose and Safrani managed to reach the other sub safely but were completely exhausted. Crew members on both sides heaved a sigh of relief. Tossed by raging waves, the dinghy boat sank into the waters.
The Japanese sub reached Sabang port in northern Sumatra on May 6. Bose and his associate flew to Japan by plane. Earlier too, while escaping to Russia via Afghanistan, Bose and associates travelled on top of a lorry in freezing cold balancing precariously on the cargo and watchful of overhanging branches all the while fighting to stay awake.
Blessed is Bharat to have such a Braveheart son.
