Netaji: Living Dangerously

by Kingshuk Nag

Did Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose die in an air crash in Taihoku (Taipei, Taiwan) on 18 August 1945? Was he sent off to Siberia by Joseph Stalin? Did he die there? Or did he escape? Or was he let off, eventually to make his way back to India? Was he the mysterious Gumnami Baba of Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh? If so, how did he find his way back? Why did Bose leave India when he did? Was it on account of his political approach, which was opposed by the then high command of the Congress party that wanted a quick transfer of power from the British?The past comes alive as journalist and author Kingshuk Nag seeks answers to these and related questions at a time when there is a considerable renewal of interest in Netaji’s fate with old records tumbling out, the latest being the declassification of files by the Living Dangerously is a riveting account of the life of one of India’s most charismatic leaders and an in-depth analysis of one of the world’s best kept secrets.

Genres: History, Biography, India

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2016

Reviews

[Sharmishtha Shenoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do history books lie? The answer to that would be ‘Yes – they do lie.’ Historical negations or denialism is an illegitimate distortion of the historical record. Some countries, such as Germany, have criminalised the revision of certain historical events, while others take a more cautious position for various reasons, such as protection of free speech.
Still it comes as a shock when we come to know the blatant way textbooks have depicted Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Kingshuk Nag’s book comes as an eye opener and attempts to unravel the mystery behind Netaji’s disappearance in a very well researched and credible manner.
The narration by Kingshuk is crisp and clear and is backed up by documentary evidence. This book has a thrilling account of Netaji’s journey across various countries after his daring escape from his house arrest in Calcutta. It is unputdownable and I finished the book in one go.
A must read for all folks who want to find out what really happened to Netaji after his disappearance.

[Abhilash Ruhela · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the great leaders who are considered as a pioneer in making the independence possible for India is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. But the upset is that rather than talking about his contribution, people are more interested in discussing his death which is very unfortunate for a leader of his class and calibre. There are many articles and documentaries created on this concept to clarify Netaji’s death and give the final conclusion but still the topic continues to haunt Indians every now and then. The recent declassification of his files by NDA government has again raised several questions about his death. In such times, Kingshuk Nag has again released a book as per the contemporary conditions on this death mystery itself named “Netaji: Living Dangerously”.

Kingshuk Nag has always released his book at the perfect time when it is most needed. And this time, his book is not just another book which will be lost in shelves but people will have to pick it up and read as he has discussed almost all the theories running about Netaji’s mysterious death and has assured that he does not leave even a single of them. The book is divided in 10 different chapters with each giving its own theory. The book is written in a very professional manner as an editorial article which makes it boring at times and you want to skip lines and move ahead as quickly as possible. Another problem that I have with the publication is the small font size used to print this book which makes it very inconvenient to read the book.

The book is very well-researched and author’s efforts are evidently visible right from the first page. It is very difficult to write on such a serious topic without giving a single statement which can raise controversy and Kingshuk has been able to assure this safety to himself. The book is interesting in terms of knowing so many theories that had been discussed during Netaji’s sudden disappearance. The quotes from the family members in between the chapters come as refreshment and ensures that you get to relate with the plight of the Netaji’s family members what they had to go through in all these years.

The biggest problem with the book is a little bias the author has shown towards his belief on a particular theory and he keeps on claiming its worthiness in every chapter between the lines while discussing other theories. Right from the start of the book, the author has tried to prove his point of view incessantly which makes it hard for the reader to trust the justice made to other theories. This is the only thing which stops from making this book one of the most recommended ones in the genre. I give this book 3.25 stars out of 5. Do read it if you are really interested in knowing about Netaji’s death mystery in detail.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!!

[Eskay Theaters & Smart Homes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't come out with any new or startling insight from the life of Netaji after having read this book. Give it a skip if you're already familiar with his life.

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this might be shocking, bringing several unpleasant surprises, and quite a few disillusioned.

It definitely leaves one with a heartache, for someone so loved and venerated and yet so alone through his life to the end. But the heartache is just as much for his own near and dear, forever away, and finally but not least, for everyone of India deceived by the lies for decades.

Certainly worth a read for anyone who cares about the subject. Or about India, or about justice. And almost an antidote to the poison that some books, pretending to be on the subject, are, in merely using the base in title and face on cover to sell the book, as for example is Netaji In Europe by Jan Kuhlmann, one this reader went through painstakingly thoroughly to find tidbits about the subject anywhere at all but was severely decimated in the process.

Kingshuk Nag is, on the other hand, very thoroughly and even extremely informative on the subject; he even goes through the vital questions of his disappearance, search for whereabouts of, and inaction or worse by the then government of India, before going into his life story.

The biography of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose by his grand-nephew is more informative regarding his earlier life, which is only appropriate, coming as that one does from a clan so intimate, and having suffered much together. But of course, it would have been silly to repeat all of that by copying, except for the most essential parts that are public knowledge anyway.

However, author could have been a tad more sensitive on some topics, such as marriage of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, of which he'd written immediately to his family informing them, and a copy of the letter given by him to his wife was finally seen by the relatives too, to their satisfaction; in any case, India does have the most ancient traditions respect a marriage conducted in any of the several possible forms, and rest of us must respect his choice in this if we have any respect for him at all. Or even otherwise, since there's no reason and no excuse for disrespect for his one and only wife.

Another subject where author falls short, or flounders, is when he discusses spiritual life. That's only expected, from anyone with no experience thereof, and it rather reminds one of an episode of Big Bang Theory where laughter of audience is about two scientists in process of working together - which, most of the audience being not quite scientists or thinkers, is only natural.

But the severe floundering by the author is when, in later chapters, he makes incorrect statements on matters relating to private lives; or when he goes into history of India, from thirties on to just after independence, and questions of whether presence of Subhash Chandra Bose would have stopped partition from happening, or whether a separate Bengal was preferable to a divided India (seriously, he doesn't see the contradiction!), and all the more so in fudging details of massacres during and before partition. His leftist leanings as per leftists of India, away from objective logic or facts, is only visible in this last bit.
***

"The battle for India’s freedom took a new turn in December 1929 at the annual session of the Congress party in Lahore under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, which passed a resolution for Poorna Swaraj or complete independence. Nehru, and Bose represented the more radical sections of the Congress party in those days—Nehru was forty-one years old and Netaji was thirty-three. The formal demand for Poorna Swaraj came after a year of internal struggle within the Congress.

"In December 1928, at the Congress session in Calcutta, Mahatma Gandhi had proposed a resolution calling for the British to grant dominion status to India within two years. It was decided that if the British failed the deadline, the Congress would call upon all the Indians to fight for complete independence. But Bose and Nehru objected to the resolution, they pressed Mahatma Gandhi for immediate action. Gandhi then proposed a resolution reducing the time given from two years to one. Nehru voted for the new resolution and fell in line but Bose abstained. Ultimately, the AICC passed the resolution 118 to 95. Soon thereafter Bose moved an amendment at an open session that sought a complete break with the British. Gandhi admonished Bose and their differences became public. Gandhi’s word carried more weight: the amendment was defeated.

"The Poorna Swaraj resolution was formally promulgated with a ‘Declaration of Independence’ by Mahatma Gandhi on 26 January 1930, the day declared as Independence Day by the Congress. This time round Gandhi gave the British two months to leave India. When the foreign rulers ignored this missive as had been expected, Gandhi wrote to the Viceroy Lord Irwin on 2 March 1930 informing him of his intent to launch a non-violent civil disobedience movement. On 12 March 1930, Gandhi along with seventy-eight followers set out from the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on a 241-mile padayatra—journey on foot—to the coastal village of Dandi in south Gujarat. ... ""

Surprisingly, author let's slip the opportunity to inform readers of Gandhi’s having admitted later, that he'd conducted this March to wipe out the strong impression created by Bhagat Singh and his group, especially amongst young people, throughout India.

" ... Gandhi was arrested but realizing that they were on the back foot, the Mahatma was invited to join the second Round Table Conference in London, where representatives from other political parties and the Indian princely states were invited. The Conference held between September and December 1931 had no concrete outcome. The Congress had boycotted the first conference held between November 1930 and January 1931. In effect, the Civil Disobedience Movement had come to naught. ... "

Except, it wasn't- Gandhi had managed to reestablish congress leadership in Indian minds, even if not quite wiping off Bhagat Singh and his group.

" ... Bose was incarcerated in Alipore Central Jail when the Salt Satyagraha commenced in March 1930. Such was the British anger against Indian political prisoners that Bose and others like Jatindra Mohan Sengupta, Kiron Shankar Roy were mercilessly beaten with batons for attempting satyagraha in jail. Bose was thrown down and rendered unconscious for more than an hour.

"On his release from jail Bose travelled to Bombay to meet Gandhi. He wanted to discuss the Delhi pact of 5 March 1931 between Irwin and Gandhi which had offered a rather vague offer of ‘dominion status’ for India and paved the way for the Round Table Conference later that year. ... "

This was the moment when, due to the huge pressure from people of India, Gandhi did raise with the viceroy the question of cancellation of execution of Bhagat Singh and his group, but instead of refusing his much needed signature, he merely made an "if you please" empty gesture of having asked, and on being refused, gave his signature anyway, in effect signing their death warrant.
***

"That Bose was very critical of Gandhi becomes clearer from a reading of Indian Struggle. Asking the question why Gandhi had failed to deliver freedom to India, Bose said that while the Mahatma understood ‘the character of his own people, he has not understood the character of his opponents.’ He added, ‘We have to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s’, implying that force was the only language that the British would understand. Bose also noted that Gandhi had failed because the ‘false unity of interests that are inherently opposed is not a source of strength but a source of weakness in political warfare.’ This means that different interest groups could align together in name but in reality would work at cross purposes and the purpose of coming together would be lost."

This is contradictory to the reservation of 80 percent jobs and 50 percent political positions by Bengal government for muslims, supported by Bose. This led later to increasing never-ending demands by them, not ending with partition, and never-ending appeasement by Congress, including an assertion in 2004-2014 by the then PM Manmohan Singh, that muslims had first right to everything in India.

"Subhas also noted, ‘The Congress Cabinet of today is a one man show. Congress Working Committee (CWC) is undoubtedly composed of some of the finest men of India. But most of them have been chosen primarily because of their “blind” loyalty to the Mahatma and there are few among them who have the capacity to think for themselves or the desire to speak out against the Mahatma when he is likely to take a wrong step.’ He lamented the premature death of Chittaranjan Das, Motilal Nehru and Lala Lajpat Rai, three outstanding intellectuals who could reason with Gandhi."

"At the same time Bose conceded that Gandhi was hugely popular and attributed it to his practices of asceticism, simple life, vegetarianism and adherence to truth, which gave him a halo of saintliness. ... "

Wonder if he noticed that Hitler shared a good many of these, in fact all but the adherence to truth? Which, in case of Gandhi, was at best partial, but done skilfully so few noticed the sleight of language and action.
***

" ... Hitler himself was a colonialist and his battle with the British was for the redistribution of colonies. Hitler was quite content to leave India to Britain and to see the continuation of the British Empire if only Germany was given a free hand in Eastern Europe and Russia. ... "

This is only as true as any of the prior pronouncement when demanding or taking yet another slice of Europe, to the effect that that was the last demand. Hence allies straining for a pact with Poland and declaring war, having learned their lesson only post Munich.
***

" ... The Banerjee family became close to the Baba and were the only ones who had free access to him. In fact, Rita disclosed to Arunav Sinha that Gumnami Baba used to address her affectionately as phulwa rani (flower queen) and her husband Priyabrata as baccha (child). After Dr Banerjee passed away in 1983, Priyabrata took over from his father as Baba’s physician. In a video interview to Mission Netaji—a group of young Indians trying to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance—Priyabrata recollected the day his father went to meet Baba for the first time. He said that his father went in to meet the Baba sometime at 11 am or 12 noon but came out only around 4 pm and on returning exclaimed that he had just met Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The son asked, ‘How do you know?’ The father replied that he recognized Netaji because he had seen him earlier but that Baba had forbidden him to talk about the meeting."

"Gumnami Baba died on 16 September 1985. If indeed he was Subhas Chandra Bose—as it now seems likely—he was a grand old man of eighty-eight when he passed away. ... Another poignant fact: in Uttar Pradesh and across north India bodies are never cremated at night. However, in Bengal bodies are cremated at night. So, was this funeral that of a Bengali gentleman, and was he Netaji?"

"Much after his death, stories began to circulate that Baba had been seen in many other places of Uttar Pradesh. One version has it that he had lived in Naimisharanya (Neemsar) in the Sitapur district near Lucknow before he moved to the Ayodhya-Faizabad area. This is an ancient Hindu religious site and is even mentioned in the Ramayana and considered an ideal location for undertaking spiritual exercises. This version says that before Naimisharanya, Baba had lived in Basti. Perhaps he had shifted to Basti once again before ultimately going to Ayodhya. He is supposed to have left Basti because the local populace had started speculating whether he was Netaji. Three witnesses testified before the Mukherjee Commission that they had met him in Basti. Apurba Chandra Ghosh who had known Subhas Bose from his Calcutta days testified that he had met the Baba in 1965 when he was living as a sannyasi in Basti and twice after that. Ghosh claimed that the Baba had asked him about Bahadur, the durwan (watchman) at the Bose residence on Elgin Road in Calcutta and wondered whether he was still there. He also inquired if there was a calendar with Goddess Kali’s image in the guard-room. A second witness Durga Prasad Pandey testified that he used to meet the Baba regularly—almost every night—for a long period in 1967 in Basti. Another witness Shrikant Sharma said that he had met the Baba in 1963 in Naimisharanya. Both Sharma and Pandey had seen Subhas Bose before he had disappeared from India in 1940. All these witnesses asserted that the Baba was indeed Netaji but could not provide any photographic evidence of their meeting that would have helped the Commission to come to a decisive conclusion. According to a story titled ‘Netaji, The Saint?’, published in The Times of India on 5 September 2015, a follower of Subhas Bose discovered Baba by pure chance. Atul Sen was visiting various places in Uttar Pradesh in 1962 when he heard of a Bengali mahatma living in an ancient Shiva temple in Neemsar. Curious, Sen went to the temple and it took just a few interactions for him to realize that this man was none other than Netaji."

" ... More importantly, the possessions of the Baba that were found in Ram Bhawan showed that he was no regular monk. The collection included books such as Alexander Solzenitsyn’s Gulag Archipelago, Brigadier J.P. Dalvi’s Himalayan Blunder (which provides an account of the Indian debacle at the hands of the Chinese in the 1962 war), the Dissentient Report by Suresh Chandra Bose and the dissenting view of Justice Radhabinod Pal in the trial of Japanese war criminals. Also found—the complete works of Shakespeare, many classics written by Charles Dickens including A Tale of Two Cities, Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, novels written by P.G. Wodehouse and the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Maulana Azad’s seminal book India Wins Freedom, Sitaram Goel’s Nehru’s Fatal Friendship and many books on contemporary politics written by Kuldeep Nayar were also part of the collection. Long-playing records of K.L. Saigal, Nazrul-geeti (songs by Kazi Nazrul Islam), Bismillah Khan’s sehnai and Ravi Shankar’s sitar recitals were also found in the Baba’s abode. This list is not exhaustive but there were German binoculars, a Corona typewriter, a Rolex wristwatch, maps and numerous newspaper cuttings including a series on how the Taihoku plane disaster was a concocted story.

"The details of these possessions became public after the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court asked for the preparation of an inventory of these items through a court commissioner, in its interim order on 10 February 1986. S.N. Singh, the president of the Bar Association of Faizabad, who was appointed as the commissioner was stunned to find a lot of objects relating to the INA, framed family photographs including that of Subhas Bose’s parents and reports of committees set up to probe his disappearance. Incidentally, the photograph of Bose’s parents were adorned with flowers everyday by the Baba, confirming in a way that the latter was none other than the Indian leader, says journalist V.N. Arora, who along with a few others had represented to the district magistrate to break open the locks of the Baba’s quarters that were sealed on his death. Arora told this writer that when he examined the room it became clear to him that all the belongings that one would expect to find in Netaji’s room were there. Moreover, the man who had lived in that room had been a highly spiritual person and was certainly not an imposter."

" ... After the cremation, Dr Mishra put his lock on the Baba’s quarters, angering other followers. Two other followers then put their own locks on the quarters leading to confusion. By this time word was spreading that the Baba was none other than Subhas Bose in disguise, leading to considerable curiosity. It was then that many concerned citizens of Faizabad including Arora had the district administration break open the locks. ‘We concerned citizens were allowed to get into the room for half an hour. But we came out after eight hours, so vast was the range of things in the Baba’s rooms. It was an amazing exercise.’"

Did no one think of calling his daughter?

Wife, if she was alive?

"It was the middle of the night in the dead of winter in Ayodhya. The temperature was low—barely a degree or two above freezing point. Gumnami Baba was sleeping inside the room. Panda Ram Kishore was sleeping outside with an angeethi to stay warm. Suddenly he realized that the Baba might be cold too. He got up with a start and went inside and asked: ‘Baba do you need the angeethi?’ 

"Baba answered: ‘This body has lived in Siberia. You keep the angeethi. I don’t need it.’"

Author mentions his turning to spiritual life during incarceration by British, which sounds like an escapist attempt to escape travails of freedom struggle, and this description is as ridiculous as - very comparable to -saying that someone became a Nobel award winning physicist due to being in jail.

People using their time to think, read and write, while in solitary life of any dort, including incarceration, is known to happen; but it can only bring out the latent possibility within, and turning to spiritual life isn't quite as simple as, say, turning from being a couch potato to a WWF wrestler due to the enforced one hour of exercise per day in most facilities of incarceration.

In short, if Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose did turn to spiritual life, it was because the possibilities existed, were only latent, and this is true of several of those involved in the independence struggle.


"Chitra Bose, daughter of Sarat Bose, told The Times of India in April 2015 that she recollected a visit by Nehru to their residence in Calcutta shortly after the air crash. ‘Panditji showed father a rectangular wrist watch with a charred band and said with teary eyes—this was the watch Subhas was wearing when the crash took place.’ In response Sarat Bose replied, ‘Jawahar, I don’t believe the crash story. Subhas never wore such a watch. He wore one with a round dial that mother had given him.’"

" ... Modi met Netaji’s family members and announced his decision to open the files."

That last is the vital key to this government and the difference. 

[Shameek Mookherjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Netaji Living Dangerously the title in itself is quite apt. Netaji lived his life dangerously, almost living on the edge. Else how you could explain the miraculous escape from the clutches of British Secret Police from his Elgin Road home in Calcutta, his almost death defying submarine transfer along the Madagascar region from a German U Boat to Janpanese Submarine and finally faking his own death in an Air Crash, a Air Crash which never happened as confirmed by the Taiwanese government. Our government covers up the greatest of all freedom fighters final life till today.

The author discusses the 3 predominant theories on the Netaji Bose's disappearance, 1. The Plane Crash Theory, 2. The Russian Killing Theory and 3. Netaji in disguise as a monk in UP specifically Faizabad.
Its good that so many authors like Anuj Dhar, Kinshuk Nag, Adheer Som and others have kept the issue of Netaji's disappearance alive.

It’s a good read as the book traces the post 1945 Subhas Bose’s life and events which happened for him, for his justice till today and articulating Netaji’s impact as supreme personality and the disdain shown towards his legacy by the Nehru Government.

A must read in my opinion.

[Chetna Yadav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly India would have been a differed kind of country if Netaji would have not died or disappeared.
Surely he was having a different view of the country as leader.
After reading this book, so many questions arose : why the government is still not opening Netaji’S files and mystery of his death, why did Nehru tried to stop the investigation for Netaji, gumnami baba was really Netaji , if he didn’t die in the plane crash as mentioned by Taiwanese government that crash never happened , why didn’t he became public or returned to the country
A person who went to meet hitler just faked his own death yo become gumnami baba
Writer has captured most of the theories related to Netaji death and disappearance in plane crash theory or Russia killing or gumnami baba , the book is very well researched

Our government has covered up the death stories of greatest leaders like Rajendra Prasad and Netaji
The mystery is why the current government is also not
Opening the files , how it will
Impact the relation of India with other countries or what harm it can do to the current leaders
Will we get to know the real story behind these mysteries death of some greatest leaders

[F M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall its a pretty average book, loosely compiled all the rumors and stories surrounding a very famous freedom fighter of India Subhash Chandra Bose, widely known as Netaji. Though I was not looking for any answers from this book, it doesn't provide any good reference to any of the topic discussed. It not only fails to separate out the facts from fiction, but it also feeds on existing speculations instead of bringing any new material to light.

I would not recommend this book to anyone, if you want to know all the stories/rumors then you can find them all in this book.

I also agree with the review shared in the blog: http://thereadingglasses.blogspot.com....

[Arun Kondpalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a well researched one and raises questions about the disappearance of Netaji which need to be answered, though it is quite unfortunate and late that this has not been pursued by successive governments in India so far. Hopefully the curiosity gets reignited by such efforts to bring out the truth about one of India's most revered personalities in Independence Struggle!

[Vaibhav · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same facts/stories. Made to sound Nehru as a villain. Wish there was substantial information and PM Modi would keep his promise in Netaji. A great leader Subhas Chandra Bose - who still fires our imagination unlike anyone and inspires us. Finished this in single sitting but still not found what happened to Netaji.

[Ashwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing and controversial accounts on Netaji's life.

After the declassification of the files it should have been much clearer about Netaji's disappearance. But it is still vague. Overall a average book.

[Saurabh Kishore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very detailed analysis about one of the greatest patriot of India. Neutral view of the author has made the book quite interesting and useful. Learnt a lot more about Netaji. A must read to know more about the Forgotten Hero...

[Hrishikesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thin paperback summary of the latest developments. However, if you're looking for a rigorous academic treatment of the subject with footnotes and references, this is not it.

[Deepak Yadav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book the perspective of Siberia is well mentioned in the book.

[Abhijit Chougule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly written, no biased analysis. It is to the point, no unnecessary information. It helped me to understand the independence history of india with facts which I was not knowing.

[Pradyuman Singh Rajput · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of the Netaji at its best.

[Ashwini N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read

It's a must read for every Indian to know about what a great person Netaji was. Well written book. Would be happy if the events mentioned are written in more detailed way.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant Insights

[Kunal Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jai Hind

[Manu Devappa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a man he is. Really hats off to his courage. Netaji is a great visionary leader.It looks like The author of this book really worked hard to collect many information and connecting the dots.

[Debabrata Bera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes his contributions never be treated as other popular Indian leaders, his works described merely one pages in Bipanchandra’s book. Yet the grate man’s name will remain in our broken heart forever and we will still be quite optimistic that one day Netaji would give proper respect for his larger than life work. This book represents vivid and illustrated pics his life, every politics behind him which made Netaji never let come back. A journey through this book really time worthy...

[Abhishek Prakash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book.
Great man.
Brave and single mindedness in getting freedom in the right way.
Grossly glossed over by history by a regime who could not stand up to his greatness.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author seems to have written the book with an end result in mind. While there are much mystery and subjectivity surrounding Netaji's life and death, the author conjures up scenarios without providing supporting documentation/proof.
Case in point: Sets up premise upon unsubstantiated data that Gumnami Baba was, in fact, S. C. Bose. Only at the end of the chapter slips in a line that the DNA did not match. In today's times of propaganda, the intentions of the author may come into question.
Brilliant subject, and some fascinating details about Netaji's existence, but overall leaves much to be desired.

[Rahul Bansode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netaji - Living Dangerously - An eye opener and honest attempt to unravel the mystery behind Netaji's ( Subhashchandra Bose) disappearance/death, put some light on the kind of efficacy he had around the world politics, Strategic moves done by Britishers ( During the Independence era ) along with GOI. Well narrated ( with documentary evidence) book by Kingshuk Nag. Must read for all folks who really want to know what actually happened to Netaji Pre and Post independent India.

[Yash Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A forgotten Hero of Hindustan-


1)Kingshuk nag has really done a tremendous job by writing on a subject which is very controversial in itself.

2)There are 14 chapters in this books
*The air crash story
*Surrendering to the russians
*Stalin,Nehru and Netaji
*Why nobody lobbied for Netaji's freedom
*The rise of shubhas
*Gandhi coterie and Subhas bose
*Escape from Calcutta
*In Hitler's Germany
*INA and azad hind government
*Nehru, Mountbatten and freedom
*Divided Bengal
*The mystery of gumnami baba
*The transformation
*Was Netaji forsaken by his own government?

3) The language of the book is very easy and rarely you will look at your dictionary.

4)One thing which is missing in this book is the author didn't include photographs related to netaji, otherwise this book is a gem.

5) The book provides very valuable information about the life of netaji,his realtionship with mahatma gandhi, activities in the Congress party ,meeting with hitler,and the formation of INA etc

6)This book deserve to read by every indian no matter he/she is netaji fan or not,but at the end i am sure netaji will win your heart because whatever he did is only for the freedom of our motherland.

I hope u like the review,thanks for reading."Jai hind "

[Sushant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty average book that confuses more than putting facts in the right perspective. Like many reports, it fails to separate out the facts from fiction and feeds on existing speculations instead of bringing any new material to light.

Read my detailed review - http://thereadingglasses.blogspot.in/...

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book! I don't knew much about Netaji work, just that he make INA and fight for freedom. But after reading this, the respect for Bose increases. The book is written like movies, first we got the last scenes (plane crash and going to Russia), then it come to earlier days; how Bose's rise and fight and make people fight for freedom. Jai Hind!