NEW DELHI, Jan 23, 2022 (BSS) - The grand hologram statue of the iconic leader of India's freedom struggle Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was installed at the canopy of historic India Gate here this evening.
 
  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue, a symbol of India's indebtedness to him, marking the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a leader of erstwhile Indian National Army (INA).
 
   It (statue) was installed at the India Gate canopy, which once housed the statue of King George V, the imperial icon of the country that Netaji fought all his life.
 
   The hologram statue will be in place till a granite statue, earmarked for installation at the same place is completed.
 
  After unveiling the hologram statue Indian premier Modi also conferred the "Subhas Chandra Bose Zapda Prabandhan Puraskar" for the years 2019,2020,2021 and 2022.  Home minister Amit Shah and culture minister G Kishan Reddy were present on the occasion as India celebrates the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji.
 
   With the unveiling of Netaji's statue, India has begun celebrations of its Republic Day from January 23 instead of January 24, to include the birth anniversary of illustrious freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. 
 
  The celebrations will end on January 30, the day when Father of Indian Nation Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated.
 
  Born on January 23, 1897, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose played a crucial role in India's freedom movement. 
 
  He defied colonial rule and resisted the British as the leader of the Azad Hind Fauj, the army that faced the maximum attrition from the imperialists but never surrendered.
 
  The original statue, the digital version of which was unveiled today at the India Gate, was sculpted by Awaita Gadanayak, the director-general of the National Gallery of Modern Art.