PM renames 3 Andaman islands as tribute to Netaji
PORTBLAIR:PRIME Minister Narendra Modi Sunday announced renaming of three islands of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago as a tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The Ross Island has been renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep, Modi said while addressing a public meeting at Netaji Stadium on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the hoisting of the Tricolour by Bose here.
Donning the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) cap, he said, “When it comes to heroes of the freedom struggle, we take the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose with pride...subhash Babu had made India’s independence resolution on the soil of Andaman. Country draws inspiration from Andaman. That is why government has issued a notification and I am proudly announcing that henceforth, Ross Island will be known as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep. The Neil Island will be known as Shahid Dweep and Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep,” he added. On this day in 1943, Bose had suggested that Andaman and Nicobar Islands be renamed as Shahid and Swaraj Dweep, respectively. During the World War II, the Japanese had captured the Islands, and Netaji came here as the Azad Hind Fauz, led by him, was an ally of the Japanese force. “The historical event of 30th December 1943 has been completed today...,” he said.
The PM also released a commemorative stamp, its first-day cover and a ~75 coin on this special day. He also announced setting up of a deemed university, to be named after Bose.
Modi also visited the Cellular Jail and paid homage to the political prisoners exiled and hanged during the Colonial rule. The cells of the Cellular Jail where Veer Savarkar, Baba Bhan Singh and Indu Bhushan Roy were imprisoned for years by the British are no less than temples, he said. In a visit to the Marina Park here, the PM hoisted a national flag on a 150-feet high mast, besides paying floral tribute at Netaji’s statue.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated a slew of development projects, including a sub-marine optical fibre cable between Chennai and Port Blair, a 7-MW solar power plant and a model solar village, and a State Wide Area Network (SWAN) project connecting 12 major islands. He also announced setting up of a 50-bed Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) hospital and a 50-MW LNG power plant.