Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, visited Andaman And Nicobar Islands. He honoured Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and laid the foundation stone for developments projects related to electricity, connectivity, tourism, health, education and power plants.
Yesterday (the 30th of December) marked the 75th anniversary of the historic event of the hoisting of the National Flag of India by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1943.
Mr. Modi addressed a public meeting at the Netaji Stadium and said, “When it comes to heroes of the freedom struggle, we take the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose with pride. The first Prime Minister of the Azad Hind government Subhas Babu had made India’s independence resolution on the soil of Andaman.”
In 1943, Netaji Bose suggested the Andaman and Nicobar Islands be renamed as Shahid and Swaraj Dweep. PM Modi, yesterday, made an announcement regarding this and said, three islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will officially be renamed, as was Netaji’s wish. The Ross Island will be renamed to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, the Neil Island to Shahid Dweep and the Havelock Island to Swaraj Dweep.
With regard to this, Mr. Modi said, “The country draws inspiration from Andaman. That is why the 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.”
Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone for a gas based power plant worth Rs. 388 crores. The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Vidyut Vyapar Nigam will build the plant at Ferrargunj Tehsil, South Andaman. The project, which was approved by R.K. Singh, the Union Minister of Power, will be completed in 18 months and will provide 24X7 power supply to Port Blair and South Andaman.
Apart from the power plant, PM Narendra Modi announced several other development projects such as a submarine optical fibre cable between Chennai and Port Blair, a 7 MW (megawatt) solar power plant, a model solar village, a State Wide Area Network (SWAN) project which will connect 12 islands, a 50 bed AYUSH hospital and a 50 MW LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) power plant.
In addition, Mr. Modi also released a commemorative stamp and Rs. 75 coins on the occasion and announced, a deemed university, named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, will be set up.
Mr. Modi also visited the Cellular Jail (also called Kala Pani) and honoured the exiled political prisoners of colonial India with a wreath.
A huge crowd was present at the event to remember Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
These pictures show the high level of enthusiasm at the public meeting in Port Blair. pic.twitter.com/N4QJ0QVyYb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 30, 2018
