This hotel still cherishes the memory of Netaji!

The hotel on Bhabani Dutta lane that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose used to visit to taste some exotic Bengali food, is still around and doing well. Swadhin Bharat Hindu Hotel is owned by the Panda family which had a good relationship with Bose's folks.

Kolkata (West Bengal): While the country is celebrating 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Manabendra Panda's grandson Arunanshu Panda tells us about Netaji's love for Bengali food. This hotel in North Kolkata was frequented by Subhash Chandra Bose when he was studying in Presidency College. Not only did he come himself, but he also brought his political guru Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das along with him. From time to time, the Hindu Hotel then became a place of worship and discussion for the freedom fighters. And at the centre of all discussions was, of course, Subhash Chandra Bose.

Adarsha Hindu Hotel was founded in 1915 at Colleg Street. Later in 1927, it transferred to Bhabani Dutta Lane. However, the owner of this hotel, the Panda family built a good relationship with the Bose family on Elgin Road. Subhash Chandra Bose's brothers and nephews came to this hotel and got a taste of good cooking. Rangakaka also tasted his favourite food from this hotel.

Meanwhile, India got its independence. The Hindu Hotel of that day has been renamed as Swadhin Bharat Hindu Hotel. This name was changed by Manabendra Panda. Manabendra Panda advised his next generation not to run a business with the name of the legendary hero. The new generation is following that instruction even today.

It is also heard that Subhash Chandra Bose loved to have food prepared with pasted spices. No chair-table was there in the hotel those days. Subhash Babu used to sit on his knees and eat on banana leaves. As a college student, Subhash Bose used to come here time and again to taste his favourite food.

Bengali dishes like Chachchori made with Malabar spinach, Mourola fish, burnt eggplant, Daal was some of his favourite dishes. The hotel continues with the tradition and even today the food is cooked the same way. Curry is made from various vegetables. Arunanshu Panda says that the Subhash Chandra Bose was a man of high stature and says he has extreme respect for him. Therefore, like every year since the time of his grandfather, Subhash Chandra Bose's birthday is celebrated here.

Read: LIVE: PM Modi in Kolkata for Netaji's 125th birth anniversary