Country now correcting mistakes made in decades after independence: PM Modi

New Delhi, Jan 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday unveiled hologram statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate on his 125th birth anniversary.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said "Netaji's statue will not only remind us of our duties to the nation but also inspire the generations to come." He further added, "Netaji instilled the belief of a free India."

The prime minister also quoted the iconic freedom fighter and said: mein svatantra ki bheekh nahi loonga, mein isse hasil karunga."

"Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose refused to bow before the British. Soon the hologram statue will be replaced by a grand granite statue. Netaji's statue will inspire democratic values and future generations," he said.

"Netaji used to say, 'Never lose faith in the dream of independent India, there is no power in the world that can shake India. 'Today we have a goal to fulfill the dreams of independent India. We have a target to build a New India before the 100 yrs of independence," PM added.

In an apparent swipe at previous Congress dispensations, PM Modi said that attempts were made after independence to erase contributions of many great people besides India's culture and values, and asserted that the country is now correcting mistakes of the past.

He also exhorted people to take inspiration from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's "can do" and "will do" spirit.

He said unfortunately, attempts were made to erase contributions of many great people besides the nation's culture after independence.

"India's freedom struggle involved the sacrifices of lakhs of people, but attempts were made to limit their history. But today, decades after independence, the country is correcting those mistakes," he said.

"We have laid emphasis on reform along with relief, rescue and rehabilitation," he said.

"We strengthened, modernised, expanded the NDRF across the country. From space technology to planning and management, best possible practices have been adopted," he said.

"The grand statue of our Netaji, who had established the first independent government on India's soil, is being installed in digital form near India Gate. Very soon this hologram statue will be replaced by a big granite statue," he said.