The Nobel prize-winner economist Amartya Sen (File Photo)
Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen today said Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's vision of equity and justice was badly needed in all spheres of life.
Even as he expressed interest in the secret Netaji files that are being declassified by the central government, Mr Sen said it was far more important to debate Netaji's life and work than his death.
"Netaji's vision of equity and justice remain exemplary and profound today. Unfortunately that vision remained unrealised and the governments of independent India did not do enough to pursue that vision. The present government is doing even less," Mr Sen said in Kolkata.
The eminent economist along with veteran actress Sharmila Tagore participated in the birth anniversary celebrations of Bose at the Netaji Bhavan.
"We are in a situation, where Netaji's vision is very badly needed in every sphere of life. Right now in the country, a sense of division is often being cultivated along communal lines... so much so that the word secularism is often used as a bad word," Mr Sen said.
On the issue of the declassification of Netaji files, Mr Sen said he was interested to see what was there in the files, but it was far more important to debate his life and work, to follow his vision, rather than to discuss in what circumstances he died.