Into the abyss of oblivion "14th April"

We have just passed the 14th of April. Even if the rest of India has forgotten the significance of this day, how could we Bengalis possibly forget? Nowhere did I see any post, any discussion, or even two lines written about this day in today's powerful social media, electronic channels, or printed media.

- NISITH SINHA ROY

We have just passed the 14th of April. Even if the rest of India has forgotten the significance of this day, how could we Bengalis possibly forget? Nowhere did I see any post, any discussion, or even two lines written about this day in today's powerful social media, electronic channels, or printed media. Why? This day marks a glorious chapter in India's independence history. In fact, not just Indian history — two Bengalis shook the very foundations of the British Empire, upon which once "the sun never set", with their immense intelligence and armed nationalist activities.

On 14 April 1944, at Moyrang in Manipur, the armed wing of the Indian Independence League — the 'Indian National Army' or 'Azad Hind Fauj' — engaged in battle against the British. On the 14th and 15th of April, nearly 43,000 infantry soldiers displayed unparalleled bravery against the heavily armed British forces. Though they were not fewer in number, the valiant and disciplined soldiers lost due to lack of logistics transportation, modern weaponry, difficult terrain and relentless rainfall. But these brave sons of Mother India sowed the seed in the hearts of freedom-loving people that 'we too can do it'.