Cuttack (Orissa): A four-foot-long sword, presented by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to an Indian National Army (INA) soldier in 1944, was today (Jan 21, 2004) presented to the Netaji Birthplace Museum being set up for display.

Capt D Dasan, a close associate of Netaji and an active member of INA, handed over the sword he had received from his leader to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a function held at the Ravenshaw Collegiate School where Netaji studied.

Chennai-based Dasan, who was born in Malaysia in 1926, had studied medicine at a medical college at Johoru, Singapore, official sources said.

Being attracted towards Netaji's fight against British colonialism, he joined the INA in 1943. He was chosen by Netaji to undergo military training and was sent to Japan afterwards. He received the sword of honour from the leader in Japan.

The sources said that Dasan was picked up by Netaji to go for further training at the Imperial Air Military Academy in Tokyo in January 1945.

He was, however, taken as a prisoner of war in the same year and stayed in Tokyo and Hong Kong till late 1946.

After India gained Independence, Dasan returned and joined as a pilot and retired from the Air India in 1986. He is presently the president of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Memorial National Welfare Foundation.

Two other associates of Netaji, Capt C M Santanam, of Tokyo Regiment and Capt R Saraswati Rajamani of Burma regiment, were also felicitated on the occasion.