INA veteran celebrates 99th birthday by paying tributes to Netaji and fallen soldiers

Sub: History

Sec: Freedom struggle

Early Life and Background

Lt. Rangaswamy Madhavan Pillai was born on March 13, 1926, in Swryan township, Rangoon district, Burma (now Myanmar).
His father hailed from the Sivaganga region in Tamil Nadu.

Association with the Indian National Army (INA)

Joined the Indian Independence League as a civilian in 1942 under Rash Behari Bose.
Formally enlisted in the INA (Azad Hind Fauj) on November 1, 1943, after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s arrival in Singapore.
Commissioned from the Officers Training School in Burma.

Role in the Freedom Struggle

Served as a recruitment and fundraising officer in INA.
Mobilized support for INA across 32 locations in Burma, including:
- Hanthawaddy, Sawbwagale, Ywadanshe, Swryan, Yangon, and Mayongone.
His active participation led to his imprisonment in Rangoon Jail from May to December 1945.

Role at INA Headquarters

Served in the administrative branch at the INA headquarters in Rangoon.
Worked under Major General K. P. Thimayya, elder brother of former Army chief General K.S. Thimayya.

Recognition as a Freedom Fighter

Officially recognized as a freedom fighter by the Government of India on August 1, 1980.
Awarded a silver medal in 2021 on Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary for his contribution to INA and the independence movement.

Honours and Tributes

On January 23, 2024, he was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Red Fort on Parakram Diwas.
On March 13, 2025, on his 99th birthday, he laid wreaths at:
- National War Memorial, Kartavya Path, New Delhi.
- Statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The event was organized by the Indian Army and attended by senior military personnel and the public.

The Legacy of the INA

The Azad Hind Fauj (INA) was initially formed by Mohan Singh in 1942 and later revived by Netaji on October 21, 1943.
INA’s war cry:”Chalo Delhi” symbolized the drive for complete independence from British rule.
INA comprised volunteers, soldiers, and overseas Indians from Malaya, Burma, and other regions.
Lt. Pillai’s life represents the courage and unity that defined the INA’s struggle for freedom.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Political Journey

Elected President of INC in 1938 (Haripura Session) and re-elected in 1939 (Tripuri Session) but resigned due to differences with Mahatma Gandhi.

Formation of Forward Bloc

Founded the All-India Forward Bloc in 1939 to consolidate the left-wing forces in INC.

Escape from India (1941)

Under house arrest in Kolkata, escaped disguised as a Pathan and reached Germany via Afghanistan and Soviet Union.

Association with Axis Powers (Germany & Japan)

Met Adolf Hitler in 1942 and sought support for India’s independence.
Later moved to Japan in 1943, which provided military and strategic support.

Leadership of Indian National Army (INA)

Took charge of Azad Hind Fauj (INA), initially formed by Mohan Singh in 1942.
Proclaimed the Provisional Government of Free India (Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind) on October 21, 1943, in Singapore.
INA, with Japanese support, launched campaigns in Imphal and Kohima (1944) but failed due to logistical issues and Allied counterattacks.

Legacy and Impact

Inspired revolutionary nationalism and was posthumously honored.
INA trials (Red Fort trials) in 1945-46 sparked massive protests and played a role in weakening British resolve to hold India.