Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja : The immortal INA marching song
By :
October 11, 2021
Saga of the Indian National Army or INA.
Azad Hind Fauj as it was known in Hindi.
"Kadam kadam badhaye ja, khushi ke geet gaaye ja
Ye zindagi hai qaum ki, tu qaum pe lutaye ja..."
Over the last eighty years, the INA marching song has become immortal, its rhythm and words familiar with most Indians.
We pay our rich tributes today to the INA, beginning by saluting the poet-lyricist Vanshidhar Shukla and the musician, Capt Ram Singh Thakur, who captured the valorous times of 1942-43 in this marching song.
Netaji's blueprint for freedom struggle was global in its thought and action.
In 1939, after his victory as President of Congress Party, Bose said, “I am for a dynamic move from our side – for an ultimatum to the British Government demanding Purna Swaraj…we must utilise the international situation to India’s advantage.” Much before the formation of the INA, Netaji was appealing for these steps or ‘kadam’ to be taken!