Netaji's life epitome of sacrifice and service: Prez

"He (Bose) is a real icon, particularly for the younger generation. He was a great son of the country whose life was nothing but sacrifice and service," Mukherjee told a gathering that included Bose's family including his daughter Anita Pfaff, her husband Martin Pfaff and relative Krishna Bose.

Mukherjee said that while preparing the acceptance speech on being elected as the President, he had turned over to Netaji's thoughts and speeches as the President of the Indian National Congress.

He said the Directive Principles of State Policy, which are now a part of our Constitution and the concept of Five-Year plans, were a part of Bose's vision for the governance of country after Independence.

When Bose was the President of the Indian National Commission, Mukherjee said, he had even appointed a Planning body with India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and renowned scientist Meghnad Saha as the members.

Mukherjee said Swami Vivekanand had a great influence on Bose and noted that the freedom fighter had written that he was barely fifteen when Vivekananda entered his life.

On the occasion, Bose's daughter Anita presented Mukherjee a copy of the Bengali version of Sugata Bose's book 'His Majesty's Opponent'. Anita remarked that very few people were so lovingly remembered by their countrymen as her father.