Singapore’s Padang from where Netaji made ‘Delhi Chalo!’call to be declared National monument of Singapore.

August 9, 2022

Singapore’s iconic green site Padang from where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave the slogan of ‘Delhi Chalo’ in July 1943, will be declared a National Monument of Singapore on the city state’s National Day.
The iconic site will be the first green, open space to join a list of 74 other national monuments of Singapore.
According to the National Heritage Board (NHB), the monument will be preserved and accorded the highest level of protection in Singapore under the Preservation of Monuments Act in view of its strong national, historical and social significance.
The historic site is associated with key milestones in Singapore’s history, including the victory parade celebrating the formal surrender of the Japanese in Singapore on September 12, 1945; the victory rally of the first fully elected Legislative Assembly on June 3, 1959; the installation of Yusof Ishak as the first Malayan-born Yang di-Pertuan Negara (head of state) and the unveiling of National Symbols on December 3, 1959 as well as the inaugural National Day Parade on August 9, 1966.
The Padang is also one of Singapore’s oldest spaces for public recreation and celebrations, and has been hosting sporting events from the early colonial period. Professor Rajesh Rai, Head, South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, elaborated on the Padang’s link to Indian National Army (INA).