State Fire Service Minister Pratim Chattopadhyay, Left Front Chief Whip Rabin Deb and former sheriff Sunil Thakur also attended the function.

Chatterjee said Netaji has always been an inspirational figure for him since his childhood.

“There were two cupboards at home. One of them had a very expensive cup, a saucer and a kettle made in China. When I grew older, my parents told me that Netaji had once sipped tea from that cup and that is why it was so revered,” the actor said.

While acknowledging that it would be impossible to describe Netaji in just one word, Chatterjee said if a single word could describe Netaji, it would be “desh premi”.

“I hope we can carry his work forward,” he added.

Chowdhury spoke on the significance of Netaji’s ideology in today’s world. “His humility, love for the country and the motherland are something we should imbibe,” said Chowdhury.