UNSUNG HEROES: Smt. Neera Arya (05-03-1902 / 26-07-1998) – The brave woman who let her “Breast” cutoff to protect Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose! She married Srikont Joironjon Das who was a CID Inspector in the British police. While Neera Arya was a true nationalist her husband was a true British servant. Being a patriot Neera joined the Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army led by Subhash Chandra Bose. Neera’s husband Inspector Srikont Joironjon Das was spying on Subhash Chandra Bose and Joironjon Das once opened fire on Bose but fortunately, Bose escaped unhurt. In order to save Subhash Bose, Neera stabbed her husband to death.
UNSUNG HEROES: Smt. Neera Arya
However, after surrendering of the I.N.A. a trial took place (Nov-1945 & May-1946) in the Red Fort, all the prisoners were released, except Neera. She was transported to Cellular Jail, Andaman where she was tortured every day.
A Blacksmith came to remove the Iron Chains & Fetters and he intentionally cut off a bit of her skin and hit her legs with a hammer 2-3 times. She endured the excruciating pain.
The Jailer who was watching the sadistic game offered to release Neera, if she reveals the whereabouts of Subhash Bose. Neera replied that Bose died in a plane crash and the entire world knows about it. The Jailer refused to believe and replied, u’re lying & Bose is still alive; thereupon Neera said “Yes, he’s alive, he lives in my heart!” The jailer got furious and said, “Then we will remove Bose from your heart” The jailer touched her inappropriately & tore her clothes apart, and ordered the blacksmith to chop off her breast. The blacksmith immediately took the breast ripper & started crushing her right breast. The savagery didn’t stop there, the jailer held her neck & said I’ll take off both your ‘balloons’ out of your chest. He further said with a barbaric smile “this breast ripper is not heated or else your breast would’ve already been chopped off”.
Neera Arya spent her last days of her life selling flowers and she lived in a small cottage in Falaknuma, Bhagyanagaram. The government of ‘independent’ (?) India demolished her cottage alleging that it was constructed on a Govt land. Neera Arya died on 26-07-1998 as a destitute, unwept & unsung. I bet, the majority of our people are blissfully unaware of all this.