Taiwan offered to open its national archives to rediscover the legacy of Netaji

Taiwan offered to open its national archives to rediscover the legacy of Netaji.  

Taiwan, the country where Subhas Chandra Bose was missing, is offering the possibility of opening its national database and archives to “rediscover” the legacy of Netaji.

Taiwan, under Japanese occupation during the 1940s, was the final country. Here the legendary freedom fighter from India was alive. 

But unfortunately, there is a consensus that he perished after a plane crashed in 1945.

“We have national archives and several databases, and we can help Indian friends rediscover that we will find more about Netaji and also his legacy. It has a huge influence over Taiwan in the 1930s and 1940s”, Mumin Chen, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center deputy representative, spoke at a virtual ceremony on Saturday (January 22, 2022).

According to various reports and accounts, following the plane’s crash in August 1945, Netaji was transported to the Army Hospital Nanmon Branch in Taipei, where he slept his final. 

The hospital, in particular, is located in the present-day Taipei City Hospital Heping Fuyou Branch.

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“Many young historians are researching South East Asia, even India. So many historical documents, evidence on Netaji, and the Indian independence movement, those documents, archives are in Taiwan. But, right now, a very few Indian scholars know this,” the Taiwanese deputy envoy added.

He also said that “Taiwan and India should re-examine and rediscover the common history of Indo-Pacific since we have historical connections.”

At present, a substantial portion of the financial account of Netaji that was wiped out after the crash has been built upon Japanese versions. 

In the meantime, the Government of Japan has declassified two files related to Netaji. His ashes are said to be kept in the temple of Renko-Ji in Tokyo.

The diplomat pointed out that Taiwan was a part of history with India and Netaji. The Taiwanese Diplomat from Delhi declared, “Even Chiang Kai-shek in the 1940s had written about Netaji in his diary.

He felt sympathy… decision to cooperate with Japanese fight for independence, is understandable.”

Chiang Kai Shek is said to have fled to Taiwan from China in 1949 and later was the ruler of Taiwan with a ferocious hand until he died in 1975. 

Chiang Kai Shek was famous for the ferocious resistance against the Japanese army throughout World War II.

Subhas Chandra Bose had sought Japanese assistance in removing British rule over India and erected his own Indian National Army with Tokyo’s aid.

The news comes just before Indian Premier Narendra Modi reveals Netaji’s hologram-like statue in the India Gate on Sunday evening. 

This year, for instance, is the year of the 125th birthday of Subhas Chandra Bose’s anniversary. Accordingly, the Indian Government has announced that January 23 by “Parakram Diwas.”