Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday virtually unveiled the model of a proposed memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, to be set up in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and said it will infuse feelings of patriotism among people.
Modi, on the occasion of Netaji’s 126th birth anniversary, also named 21 islands of the Union Territory after Param Vir Chakra awardees.
“Today, it is a proud moment for me as I address the people of Andamans because this is the land, where Subhas Chandra Bose unfurled the national flag for the first time in 1943,” the prime minister said.
Following is the list of the islands:
Dhan Singh Island after Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Dhan Singh Thapa
Tarapore Island after Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore
Karam Singh Island after Lance Naik (Hony. Captain) Karam Singh
Bana Island after Naib Subedar Bana Singh
Ekka Island after Lance Naik Albert Ekka
Khetrapal Island after 2nd Lt Arun Khetrapal
Pandey Island after Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey
Hoshiar Island after Major Hoshiar Singh
Shaitan Island after Major Shaitan Singh
Jadunath Island after Nayak Jadunath Singh
Yogender Island after Subedar Major (Hony. Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav
Hamid Island after Company Quartermaster Havildar (CQMH) Abdul Hamid
Rane Island after 2nd Lt Rama Raghoba Rane
Ramaswamy Island after Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran
Batra Island after Captain Vikram Batra
Joginder Island after Subedar Joginder Singh
Salaria Island after Captain G S Salaria (then Major)
Piru Island after Company Havildar Major Piru Singh
Somnath Island after Major Somnath Sharma
Sekhon Island after Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon
Sanjay Island after Subedar Major (then RifleMan) Sanjay Kumar.
“Islands named today after Param Vir Chakra awardees will be the land of inspiration for generations to come,” Modi said.
The PM also said that attempts were made to downplay Netaji’s contribution to the freedom movement, but the entire country, right from Delhi and Bengal to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is paying tribute to the great hero today, preserving history and heritage associated with him.
“Attempt was made to suppress Netaji’s contribution towards freedom struggle, but entire nation remembering him today,” he said.
He also pointed out that demands to make Netaji’s files public were made by many for long, and it was his government which eventually declassified the files.
Netaji will be remembered for his fierce resistance to colonial rule, he stated.
The PM inaugurates naming of 21 islands of Andaman & Nicobar after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees via video conferencing on 23 January 2023. (Credit: PIB New Delhi)
The proposed memorial whose model the prime minister inaugurated on Monday, will be set up on Ross Island, which had been renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep in 2018.
It will have a museum, a cable car ropeway, a laser-and-sound show, a guided heritage trail through historical buildings and a theme-based children’s amusement park, besides a restro lounge, an official said.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the initiative to christen the 21 islands, and said this effort will be a source of encouragement for the country’s armed forces.
He also said that the cellular jail in the Union Territory, where many freedom fighters were incarcerated, is no less than a “pilgrimage site”.
