Subhas Chandra Bose escaped from the British imposed internment in January 1941 and reached Berlin later that year. In June 1943, he reached Japan after a three months long submarine journey from Germany along with his close associate Abid Hasan. On 4 July that year Rash Behari Bose handed over the Presidentship of the Indian Independence League (IIL) in East Asia, which in turn ensured that Subhas headed the Indian National Army (INA), or Azad Hind Fauj, and Arzi Hukumat-i-Azad Hind. Rash Behari Bose, while handing over the leadership to Subhas, concluded his speech with the following remarks.
“Friends and Comrades in Arms ! You might now ask me, what I did in Tokyo for our cause, what present I have brought for you. Well, I have brought for you this present (turning to Subhas) Srijut Subhas Chandra Bose who needs no introduction to you…”
“Friends and Comrades in Arms! In your presence today I resign my office and appoint Deshsevak Subhas Chandra Bose, as President of the Indian Independence League….. l am old. This is the work of a younger man. India’s best is represented in him.”
“You know I have dedicated my life, in my own humble way, to the cause of our sacred Motherland. That is my life’s mission. And as long as there is breath in my body, I shall be the soldier that I have always been — the soldier in the battle for Mother India’s freedom. And, of course, I shall not spare myself in giving him all that I can give him — whole-hearted cooperation, assistance and advice in the battle that is now ahead of us.”
“Friends and Comrades in Arms ! The greatest moment in our lives has come. We are on the eve of the most decisive phase of our campaign: the happy and auspicious way in which events are taking shape. So, my friends! have faith in God, have faith in yourselves, have faith in our friends and allies, have faith in their victory which is India’s victory as well, and be ready to plunge yourself into the battle — the battle that will lead our sacred Motherland to freedom, victory and glory.”
(The views are personal to the author)