Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], January 24 (HBTV): The Chatterjee family in Ranchi has preserved the Fiat 514, the car used by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The nearly century-old car was purchased by Dr Fanindra Nath Chatterjee in 1932.

Arup Chatterjee, the grandson of Fanindra Nath, said that Netaji traveled in the same car from Chakradharpur to Ranchi and Ramgarh in 1940.

He further mentioned that on March 20, 1940, Netaji traveled in this car to address a meeting in Ramgarh.

Arup Chatterjee told ANI, 'Dr Yadugopal Mukherjee was a very good friend of Netaji... My grandfather Dr Fanindra Nath Chatterjee was a very good friend of Dr Yadugopal Mukherjee. Dr Yadugopal was a close aide of Netaji, hence my grandfather also knew him.'

'In 1940, Netaji had to attend a Congress Convention in Ranchi on March 18, 19, and 20. Netaji came to Chakradharpur by train, and then my grandfather and Dr Mukherjee went to receive Netaji in this car... On March 20, he went to Ramgarh to address a meeting in this car...,' he added.

He said the memories linked to Netaji are indescribable. Over the years, maintaining the car has become increasingly challenging. Arup Chatterjee, an automobile expert, repairs and maintains the car himself.

'The proud feeling associated with Netaji cannot be expressed in words... It is vintage, and the value has increased a lot. The maintenance of the car has become very challenging. We maintain it in our garage...,' Chatterjee added.

He also mentioned that they have received many offers to sell it. 'But at no cost, we are going to sell it as it is part of history,' he stated.

The birth anniversary of Netaji was celebrated a day earlier. (ANI)