Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced to confer national awards in the name of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose every year to police personnel who do excellent work in relief and rescue operations.

The announcement came during the 75th anniversary of Netaji's declaration of the formation of India's first independent government- the Azad Hind Government on October 21, 1943. Earlier in the day, PM Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort to commemorate the momentous occasion.

""From this year onwards, we will give an award in the name of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to police personnel who do exemplary work while rescuing and providing relief to people during the time of any disaster," the prime minister said in his address after dedicating to the nation a police memorial and museum".

PM Modi added that the award will be announced on January 23, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birthday.

The Prime Minister said the country cannot forget the services rendered by the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force personnel in rescue and relief works during the time of any disaster.

"These NDRF and SDRF personnel are our brave policemen. They are from police forces. The country will not forget their bravery, dedication and sacrifice. Many people even do not know who they are, when they rescue people and provide relief during the collapse of a building, when there is a fire or when there is a train accident," he said in a voice choked with emotions.

The NDRF and SDRF are constituted with personnel from the central paramilitary forces and state police organisations respectively.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed a gathering at the National Police Memorial on National Police Day. He also dedicated the National Polcie Musuem to the nation. PM Modi, accompanied by Union Home Minster Rajnath Singh and senior BJP leader LK Advani paid floral tributes to the policemen killed in an ambush by Chinese troops in 1959 in Ladakh’s Hot Spring area