The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjeeinaugurated today (January 18, 2017)the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Netaji Research Bureau founded by Dr. Sisir Kumar Bose in 1957 at Kolkata, West Bengal. He also unveiled and sat in the restored Wanderer car used by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his ‘Mahanishkraman’ in January 1941.

Speaking on the occasion,the President described Dr. Sisir Kumar Bose as a close personal friend of many years. He remembered howNetaji had asked Dr. Bose in December 1940: "Amaar ekta kaj korte parbe?” ("Can you do some work for me?) The President said Dr Bose never stopped doing Netaji’s work until he passed away. He built the Netaji Research Bureau with singular determination and devoted his entire life to the work of Netaji.

The President pointed out that Netaji's birthday falls a few days from now, on January 23and paid homageto Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a great son of our motherland who dedicated his life to the nation and the people. Hecongratulated the Netaji Research Bureau for having refurbished the 'Wanderer' which was a mute witness to the 'Great Escape' of this extraordinary personality serving the nation over the last 60 years. He called upon the Research Bureau to continue its important work in the days to come.

This release issued at 1930 hrs