Veer Rath Park

• 09 May 2025

Why in News?  

Veer Rath Park, along with a museum and open-air theatre, will be developed in Noida, Uttar Pradesh to honour the heroes of the freedom struggle. 

 Key Points 

• About the park:  
  • This park is being established in Nalgarh village near Noida-Greater Noida Expressway with the aim of preserving and showcasing the legacy of 32 freedom fighters.
    • Historically, Nalgarh village has been the refuge of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Subhash Chandra Bose and Colonel Karnail Singh of the Azad Hind Fauj. 
    • It is believed that these fighters stayed here and prepared strategies to attack the British army. 
  • This park will be established on approximately 22 acres of land, with an estimated cost of Rs 42 crore . 
  • The park will also have a museum that will house stone statues of freedom fighters along with informational exhibits. 
    • Stories of freedom fighters and army personnel will also be inscribed on the walls of the museum . 
  • Wartime tanks and fighter jets will symbolically showcase India’s military heritage, while a laser show will inspire patriotism. An open-air theatre will host cultural programmes themed on India’s independence. 

 Azad Hind Fauj (INA) 

• Introduction: It was a military force formed with the aim of countering British rule in India during the Second World War and played an important role in India's freedom struggle. 
• Formation: 
  • Mohan Singh: He proposed raising an army from Indian prisoners of war (POWs) and received Japanese support. He initially led the INA, recruiting  about 40,000 soldiers. 
    • However, conflict with the Japanese over the number of troops led to their removal.  
  • Rashbehari Bose: He was an experienced revolutionary and played an important role in garnering support for the INA and formed the Indian Independence League in Tokyo (1942). 
  • Subhas Chandra Bose: On 25 August 1943, Bose was appointed Supreme Commander of the INA and later on 21 October 1943 , he established the Provisional Government of Free India or Azad Hind in Singapore. 
    • It was ratified by nine countries, including Japan, Germany, Italy , and China (led by Wang Jingwei).