Rajpath, a symbol of slavery erased: Modi at Central Vista avenue inauguration

New Delhi: Kingsway or Rajpath is history, said PM Modi inaugurating the revamped Central Vista Avenue at the India Gate which is newly named as "Kartavya Path".

Modi said the symbol of slavery has become a matter of history being erased forever, creating a new history in the form of Kartavya Path.

Calling the Kartavya Path not just a path of bricks and stones, he said that Netaji's statue, the National War Memorial will inspire people including ministers and officials crossing the Kartavya path, reminding them of their duty to the nation.

Now a 28-feet statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose stands adorning the Grand Canopy where once the statue of King George V stood, The Indian Express reported.

Unveiling Bose statue, Modi said at the time of slavery there was a statue representing the British Raj. The country, he said, brought to life a modern, strong India by establishing the statue of Netaji at the same place.

PM Modi told the gathering at the venue that during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav the nation get a new inspiration by leaving behind its past and filling new coulours in the present.

Those in attendance at the ceremony include union ministers, artists, diplomats, MPs and several state chief ministers, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Manipur CM N Biren Singh.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee were absent and Banerjee said she skipped the event alleging she was not properly invited, asking "Am I their bonded labour?"

Nishith Pramanik, BJP MP from Bengal, called out Mamata Banerjee saying that the chief minster should have understood that honouring Bose was not about politics, but about nationalism.

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister said that Bose was forgotten after the Independence, adding that Netaji's statue at the Kartavya Path will become a source of inspiration.

Referring to the renaming of Andaman Islands after Netaji Bose and the Race Course Road as Lok Kalyan Marg, Modi said India is now moving beyond the mentality of colonialism.

Modi also said the changes including The Indian Navy' adoption of Chhatrapati Shivaji's symbol instead of ghulaami are not just symbols but are part of the country's foundations.

According to PM the story of India would have been different if India walked the path shown by Netaji after the independence but Indian forgot its hero.

Greeted with chants of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, PM Modi inspected the Central Vista Avenue Project that boasts of 16.5 km of walkways, canals over the bridges, beautification of the lawns on either side, water in the canals, and restored old fountains.