Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday named the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees. The Prime Minister also virtually unveiled the model of a proposed memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, to be set up in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The memorial, PM Modi said, will infuse feelings of patriotism among people. The unveiling and naming of islands after decorated soldiers were done at a ceremony held to commemorate Netaji’s 126th birth anniversary as Parakram Diwas.
“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 PM said. Netaji had hoisted the Tricolour in the archipelago on December 30, 1943.
“Giving due respect to the real-life heroes of the country has always been accorded the highest priority by the Prime Minister. Going ahead with this spirit, it has now been decided to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of the island group after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees,” said PM Modi, reported ANI
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Largest unnamed island
The largest unnamed island was named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, Major Somnath Sharma, who lost his life in action on November 3, 1947, while going after Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport. The second largest unnamed island will be named after the second Param Vir Chakra awardee and so on.
21 Param Vir Chakra awardees
The 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees after whom the islands have been named include Major Somnath Sharma; Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, MM; 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane; Nayak Jadunath Singh; Company Havildar Major Piru Singh; Capt GS Salaria; Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Dhan Singh Thapa; Subedar Joginder Singh; Major Shaitan Singh; CQMH. Abdul Hamid; Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore; Lance Naik Albert Ekka; Major Hoshiar Singh; 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal; Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon; Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran; Naib Subedar Bana Singh; Captain Vikram Batra; Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey; Subedar Major (then Rifleman) Sanjay Kumar; and Subedar Major Retd (Hony Captain) Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav.
“It gives me immense pleasure to announce the naming of 21 islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees and to inaugurate the model of a proposed memorial at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island (previously known as Ross Island). One should see the naming of 21 islands as ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and the memorial will infuse feelings of patriotism in the hearts of people,” the Prime Minister said.
Attempt made to downplay Netaji’s contribution: PM
Noting that attempts were made to “downplay” Netaji’s contribution to the freedom movement, the Prime Minister said that 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 the entire nation is remembering him today. Netaji will be remembered for his fierce resistance to the colonial rule. I am deeply influenced by his thoughts,” PM Modi said, further pointing 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.
“There were demands to make Netaji’s secret files public and we did so while respecting his sacrifice for the country,” PM Modi said.
Floral tributes
He along with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, leaders of parties in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Members of Parliament, former Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries also paid floral tributes at the portrait of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the Central Hall of Parliament House.
The Centre officially declared in 2021 that the nation will observe the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as Parakram Diwas.
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(With PTI inputs)