The provisional Government of Azad Hind Organisation and leadership of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
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Dr Budha Kamei
Contd from previous issue
The Secretary to the Government with Ministerial Rank, co-ordinated the work of the different Ministries on the one hand, and between the Government and the League Headquarters on the other. He circularized Cabinet Orders and Regulations that were promulgated from time to time, and called for the meetings of the Council of Ministers and Advisers, recorded and kept the proceedings. He prepared and made the publication of the Government Gazettes.
One of the first concerns of the Council of Ministers and Advisers was to take up the question of planning for the future administration of Indian territories, coming under the Flag of Free India, until such time as the permanent Government was established. When dealing with this important subject, consideration was also given to matters social, educational, economic and even those pertaining to food, clothing, customs and habits, in order to place them on a National footing. The purpose was to get rid of all such existing elements that may block in any way, the unification of India and its people. Sub-committees of the Council were formed, and their labours received the attention of final approval of the Cabinet. Then, such matters were taken up by the Bureau of National Planning.
The Provisional Government did function through the Indian Independence League Headquarters, the branches and sub-branches, which thus became the working centres of the Government, and the officials and staff thereof, the servants of the Government. The Indian Independence League, however, continued to retain that name. Subsequently, the President, as Head of State and Supreme Commander, became more and more immersed in his duties attached to these latter office, and with the shifting of the Headquarters of Provisional Government and of the Indian Independence League to Burma, it was found necessary to appoint vice presidents who became officers-in-Charge of the Headquarters, Indian Independence League and Rear Headquarters, IIL respectively.
The vice presidents were, as far as possible, relieved of normal routine work, which was attended to by the General Secretaries. Thus, they were afforded the time to maintain constant commune with the branch organizations, the public and outside bodies. In this way, “a better, a fuller and an ever improving administration was assured.”
The General Secretary of the HO, IIL, would co-ordinate the work with the Rear Headquarters, by maintaining communications with the General Secretary there. The General Secretaries attended to all routine work, such as incoming and outgoing correspondence, the coordination of work between the several departments and generally, all such matter that would make sure the smooth and proficient running of the organization.
Then, the Ministers and Advisers, one by one stepped up to the Head of State, and took their oath to serve faithfully the Provisional Government of Azad Hind, under the Leadership of Netaji. In the days that followed the Office-bearers and the staff of the Indian Independence League took their Oath of Allegiance. In the case of the Office-bearers mass meetings were called for, in the several centres and in the presence of all, they took their oath. After that, the members of the Staff and of the public took theirs, at the times and in the places specially prearranged for the purpose. Each person received a card, in which was printed the words of the oath, and it bore the signature of the recipient and that of the official of the League who administered it. The possessor of this card enjoyed the same privileges, and was required to perform the same duties, that the former membership card entitled him to, with the added right to be known as a free citizen of India.
The Propaganda Department stepped into its assigned duty which the Department fulfilled with the aid of the platform, the press and the radio. The pre-war Indian newspaper establishments became the mouthpiece of the Indian Independence Movement. In each territory, there was the central office which, besides editing and publishing its own papers, chalked out policy and gave advice to the other newspapers owned by private. The central office published its newspapers, periodicals, bulletins, etc., in Romanised Hindustani, Tamil and English.
These found their way to every town and village through its agents. They also printed and published pictorial and national slogan posters for distribution. This work was done by the Artist Section of the Propaganda Department.
Besides the radio stations in Malaya, Thailand, Burma, Indo-China and Japan, which had their special staff of announcers, writers, commentators, etc. There were the local broadcasting stations, where the Leagues of those localities had their special hour.
(To be contd)
Contd from previous issue
The Secretary to the Government with Ministerial Rank, co-ordinated the work of the different Ministries on the one hand, and between the Government and the League Headquarters on the other. He circularized Cabinet Orders and Regulations that were promulgated from time to time, and called for the meetings of the Council of Ministers and Advisers, recorded and kept the proceedings. He prepared and made the publication of the Government Gazettes.
One of the first concerns of the Council of Ministers and Advisers was to take up the question of planning for the future administration of Indian territories, coming under the Flag of Free India, until such time as the permanent Government was established. When dealing with this important subject, consideration was also given to matters social, educational, economic and even those pertaining to food, clothing, customs and habits, in order to place them on a National footing. The purpose was to get rid of all such existing elements that may block in any way, the unification of India and its people. Sub-committees of the Council were formed, and their labours received the attention of final approval of the Cabinet. Then, such matters were taken up by the Bureau of National Planning.
The Provisional Government did function through the Indian Independence League Headquarters, the branches and sub-branches, which thus became the working centres of the Government, and the officials and staff thereof, the servants of the Government. The Indian Independence League, however, continued to retain that name. Subsequently, the President, as Head of State and Supreme Commander, became more and more immersed in his duties attached to these latter office, and with the shifting of the Headquarters of Provisional Government and of the Indian Independence League to Burma, it was found necessary to appoint vice presidents who became officers-in-Charge of the Headquarters, Indian Independence League and Rear Headquarters, IIL respectively.
The vice presidents were, as far as possible, relieved of normal routine work, which was attended to by the General Secretaries. Thus, they were afforded the time to maintain constant commune with the branch organizations, the public and outside bodies. In this way, “a better, a fuller and an ever improving administration was assured.”
The General Secretary of the HO, IIL, would co-ordinate the work with the Rear Headquarters, by maintaining communications with the General Secretary there. The General Secretaries attended to all routine work, such as incoming and outgoing correspondence, the coordination of work between the several departments and generally, all such matter that would make sure the smooth and proficient running of the organization.
Then, the Ministers and Advisers, one by one stepped up to the Head of State, and took their oath to serve faithfully the Provisional Government of Azad Hind, under the Leadership of Netaji. In the days that followed the Office-bearers and the staff of the Indian Independence League took their Oath of Allegiance. In the case of the Office-bearers mass meetings were called for, in the several centres and in the presence of all, they took their oath. After that, the members of the Staff and of the public took theirs, at the times and in the places specially prearranged for the purpose. Each person received a card, in which was printed the words of the oath, and it bore the signature of the recipient and that of the official of the League who administered it. The possessor of this card enjoyed the same privileges, and was required to perform the same duties, that the former membership card entitled him to, with the added right to be known as a free citizen of India.
The Propaganda Department stepped into its assigned duty which the Department fulfilled with the aid of the platform, the press and the radio. The pre-war Indian newspaper establishments became the mouthpiece of the Indian Independence Movement. In each territory, there was the central office which, besides editing and publishing its own papers, chalked out policy and gave advice to the other newspapers owned by private. The central office published its newspapers, periodicals, bulletins, etc., in Romanised Hindustani, Tamil and English.
These found their way to every town and village through its agents. They also printed and published pictorial and national slogan posters for distribution. This work was done by the Artist Section of the Propaganda Department.
Besides the radio stations in Malaya, Thailand, Burma, Indo-China and Japan, which had their special staff of announcers, writers, commentators, etc. There were the local broadcasting stations, where the Leagues of those localities had their special hour.
(To be contd)