On the occasion of Parakram Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi named 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar after Param Vir Chakra awardees.
The Prime Minister also unveiled the model of a memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to commemorate the latter’s 126th birth anniversary, which he said will infuse feelings of patriotism in the hearts of people.
"There were demands to make public secret files on Netaji, and we have done that. The entire country, right from Delhi and Bengal to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is paying tribute to Netaji now, preserving heritage associated with him," the Prime Minister added.
The memorial 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, according to reports.
Modi added that the islands named on Monday after Param Vir Chakra awardees will be the site of inspiration for generations to come. "People are now visiting Andamans to learn our history (of freedom struggle)," PTI quoted PM Modi.
Of the 21 islands that will be named on Monday, 16 are located in North and Middle Andaman district, and five in South Andaman. The largest unnamed island will be named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, Major Somnath Sharma, who was martyred in action on November 3, 1947 in a face-off with Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport.
The second largest unnamed island will be named after the second Param Vir Chakra awardee, Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh. He earned his Param Vir Chakra in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 where battles were fought for control of the Tithwal sector.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Port Blair on a two-day visit, said the Prime Minister’s initiative to name islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees will ensure they are remembered forever.
He also said that the cellular jail in the Union Territory, where many freedom fighters were incarcerated, is no less than a "pilgrimage site".