In this speech, released as a record by the Young India record label in 1938, Subhas Chandra Bose addresses India on the matter of the nation’s struggle for independence. In particular, he appeals to India’s young people, calling on them to build on the example of successful youth freedom movements in other colonised countries. 

At the time of the speech, Bose was president of the Indian National Congress, the political party that spearheaded the Indian independence movement. He calls on the public to preach ‘freedom’, the message of the Congress, to the remote reaches of India. 

Bose assures the listener that India’s cause has more support and advantage than it has ever had before, and that progress has been made towards purna swaraj, meaning ‘complete independence’ for India. He warns, however, that there is much work still to be done, and asks the Indian people to be ready to pay the full price for their country’s freedom, which requires service and sacrifice.

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SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE:

We are now living in a period, which is pregnant with immense possibilities. Within the ranks of the Indian National Congress you will see today a new awakening. The lethargy, the depression, the political slump, which followed the great upheaval of the years 1930 and 1932 are no longer in existence. Instead, we find everywhere confidence, hope, and courage. Outside India, the international situation appears to be favourable to India and her cause. I ask you, are you going to sit down with folded arms while this opportunity is present before your very eyes? I am sure you will not. This is an opportunity which is rare in the history of a nation. I am sure and I believe you my countrymen would agree with me that this is an opportunity, which we cannot afford to lose. Which India will not lose. I therefore appeal to you, to rally round the banner of the Indian National Congress, which is the banner of freedom. I appeal to you to go out, in your hundreds and in your thousands to the remote villages of India, to preach the message of the Indian National Congress, which is the message of freedom. And I appeal to you, to so organise and discipline yourselves as to make yourselves worthy of participating in this great struggle for freedom. Every commodity in this world has its price, so also has freedom. I appeal to you, to be ready to pay the price of freedom, which is service and suffering. I would beg of you to remember the part which youths and particularly students have played in the freedom movement in other countries in Europe as well as in Asia. Are you not going to emulate what youths and students have done in Russia, in Germany, in France, in Italy, in China, and other countries under the sun? I am sure you will live up to their example and even improve upon it. I would also beg of you to remember what mother India expects of you. In addressing this appeal to you through the Young India Records, I feel emboldened at the part which you have already played in the national struggle during the last few decades. There is no doubt that we have advanced a long way towards our goal of purna swaraj or complete independence. The existence of our congress ministries in several provinces of British India, is a proof, if any proof were wanting, that we have actually travelled a long way toward swaraj. At the same time we have to confess to our shame and to our sorrow, that purna swaraj is still a long way off. I have just told you that freedom is a priceless treasure, and we can hope to win freedom for ourselves only when we are ready to pay the price. That price as I have just told you is service and suffering. I therefore appeal to you to be ready, to be prepared for the utmost service and for the maximum sacrifice in the cause of India’s emancipation. I am sure you will rise to the occasion when the call comes. I am sure you will be prepared to do everything possible to give up even life itself should the need or the occasion arise, so that India may be free. Friends, those of you who are poor and obscure, I should like to see your poverty and obscurity devoted to the service of your motherland, work that she might prosper, suffer that she might rejoice.