PM formally names 21 Andaman & Nicobar Islands Param Veer Chakra awardees
New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) On the occasion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday almost participated in the naming ceremony of the 21 largest islands of the unnamed Andaman & Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees.
He also inaugurated a model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep.
“When history is made, future generations not only remember, appreciate and evaluate it, but also continue to draw inspiration from it. This day will be remembered by future generations as a significant chapter in the country’s history,” the Prime Minister said. said.
Modi further noted, “Voices of unprecedented passion with great pain are still heard from the cells of the cellular jails.”
“From Bengal to Delhi to the Andamans, every part of the country venerates and cherishes Netaji’s legacy. Netaji’s grand statue and Karthavya Path remind us of our duty before our democratic institutions,” the Prime Minister added.
He outlined that it is the duty of the country to widely recognize the contribution of the army to the soldiers who have sacrificed themselves for national security.
The Prime Minister said that people are now coming to know the history of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Lamenting that Andaman’s identity was associated with symbols of slavery instead of freedom struggle memories, Modi said, “Even the names of our islands had the stamp of slavery.”
Recalling his visit to Port Blair a few years ago to rename the three main islands, he said, “Today Ross Island has become Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, Havelock and Neil Islands have become Swaraj and Shaheed Islands.”
He mentioned that the names Swaraj and Shaheed were given by Netaji.
Modi commemorated his 125th birthday in Bengal with special events declared as Parakram Diwas Day.
