RAS question
When was the Parakram Diwas first declared by the Government of India?
Correct answer: (A) January 2021.
The Government of India first declared Parakram Diwas in January 2021, announcing that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birthday on 23 January would be celebrated by that name every year.
Explanation
Parakram Diwas was first declared in January 2021. The Ministry of Culture release dated 19 January 2021 says the Government of India decided to celebrate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birthday, 23 January, every year as Parakram Diwas. The context was the 125th birth anniversary year of Netaji, with commemorations planned at national and international levels. The stated purpose was to honour and remember his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation, and to inspire people, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in adversity and carry patriotic fervour. This directly supports option A, January 2021.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) January 2019 is wrong because the cited Ministry of Culture announcement declaring Parakram Diwas was issued on 19 January 2021, not in 2019.
- (C) January 2020 is wrong because the official declaration came with the 125th birth anniversary year programme beginning from 23 January 2021.
- (D) January 2022 is wrong because the Government had already announced the annual observance in January 2021.
Concept
This tests government observances and commemorative days, a recurring RAS governance area because such declarations link ministries, national personalities and official public memory.