New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the death of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's close associate and INA veteran 'Colonel' Nizamuddin, who died at the age of 116. "Tributes to Subhas Babu's close associate, Colonel Nizamuddin. I recall my meeting with him. His demise is saddening," Modi said in a tweet and also posted a photograph of him (Mr Modi) touching the feet of the freedom fighter.
"We will always remember the idealism, courage and patriotism of Colonel Nizamuddin, which added strength to our freedom struggle," the Prime Minister said in another missive in the micro blogging site. The Indian National Army (INA) veteran Nizamuddin also called 'Colonel' died on Monday in his native village of Dhakwa in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district after a prolonged illness.
Born in 1901, Nizamuddin is said to have accompanied Bose during his meeting with Hitler to seek help to secure freedom for India. Nizamuddin, one of the last surviving INA soldier, also accompanied Netaji Bose during his trips to various countries, including Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.(UNI)