‘Salutations dear Netaji': Last surviving INA veteran enters into his 100s in a unique way | WATCH

New Delhi: Kartavya Path, the grand venue of the Republic Day celebrations, witnessed a unique moment on Thursday as it became the setting for an extraordinary centenary celebration. Lieutenant Rangaswami Madhavan Pillai, a native of Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu, and the last surviving member of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), marked his 99th birthday with a tribute at the National War Memorial.

In a deeply moving gesture, Madhavan Pillai, seated in a wheelchair, saluted the fallen heroes, making his birthday a moment of both pride and emotion. Summoning his strength, he rose from his wheelchair and walked towards Netaji’s statue to lay a wreath, momentarily defying his age. Accompanied by his sister Manju Tandon, son Madhavan Ganesh and grandchildren Lakshmi and Puneet Pillai, he paid homage to the legendary leader and his fellow warriors.

The family had conveyed Madhavan Pillai’s heartfelt wish to the Army, which ensured it was fulfilled with due honour. “It is an immensely proud moment, like scaling Everest,” his son Madhavan Ganesh told Mathrubhumi.

Born on March 13, 1926 in Burma (now Myanmar), Madhavan Pillai joined the INA on November 1, 1943, becoming an active participant in India’s freedom struggle. Serving as a recruiting officer, he enlisted many into the INA. His dedication to the cause led to his imprisonment in Rangoon from May to December 1945. Later, he served in the administrative branch under Major General K P Thimayya at the INA headquarters in Rangoon. On 1 August 1980, the Indian government officially recognised him as a freedom fighter.

In recognition of his contributions to the nationalist movement and the INA, the nation honoured him with a silver medal during Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary in 2021. On January 23, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated him at the Parakram Diwas celebrations in Chengalpattu.

Speaking to the media, Madhavan Pillai expressed his aspirations for India’s progress: “Youth must work for the country and take the nation forward. Netaji taught us unity, faith and sacrifice, follow these three (values), then you can make a strong nation. Work by staying together... Number one, even ahead of America, we (India) should be (in growth).”