The authorities has named 21 uninhabited islands within the union territory of Andaman & Nicobar after recipients of Param Vir Chakra , the nation’s highest wartime gallantry award.
Out of the 21 islands, 16 are situated in North and Middle Andaman district, whereas 5 islands are in South Andaman.
Speaking to PTI, Andaman and Nicobar Islands MP, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, welcomed the transfer taken by the Centre for naming the 21 islands after adorned troopers in help with the Defence and the native administration.
“I am happy that the Centre has chosen 21 islands from Andaman to honour our brave soldiers. I would also like to request the administration to publish a small handbook for school children so that they can learn more about their supreme sacrifice for our motherland.”
“Andaman and Nicobar Island is a ‘tirtha sthan’ (pilgrimage) because of sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and now such honour for the Param Vir Chakra recipients is a matter of pride for us,” Sharma stated.
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The first uninhabited island numbered ‘INAN370’ in North and Middle Andaman was named after Major Somnath Sharma. Now ‘INAN370’ will be known as ‘Somnath Dweep’. He was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Sharma lost his life in the line of duty on 3 November 1947 while handling Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport. He was posthumously awarded the highest military award for his gallantry and sacrifice during the Battle of Badgam.
Subedar and Honorary Captain Karam Singh who fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for saving a forward post at Richmar Gali, south of Tithwal (a small border-village in Jammu and Kashmir) was also honoured after the Andaman administration and the Defence Ministry named another uninhabited island numbered ‘INAN308’ after him as ‘Karam Singh Dweep’.
Similarly, Major Rama Raghoba Rane, Naik Jadunath Singh, Company Havildar Major Piru Singh Shekhawat, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa Magar, Subedar Joginder Singh Sahnan, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore, Lance Naik Albert Ekka, Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran, Captain Bana Singh, Captain Vikram Batra, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar – all recipients of the Param Vir Chakra- were honoured after the islands were named after them.
“Christening of the 21 uninhabited islands of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago with names of Param Vir Chakra heroes is an actual tribute to the troopers “who had given their today for our tomorrow,” the MP stated.
Some of the 21 islands fall below reserved forest whereas some have nice potential for water sports activities, creek tourism and fishing.
The Andamans usually and the Cellular Jail specifically performed a distinguished half within the historical past of our freedom battle. People who took half in numerous anti-British actions such because the 1857 revolt, the Wahabi Movement, and the Burmese Rebellion have been deported to the Andamans the place they lived there below barbaric situations. Great stalwarts of the liberty battle have been confined within the solitary cells of the Cellular Jail.
“In today’s fast-moving world and tough competitive day-to-day life, the youth hardly find time to remember our rich heritage and past. This initiative is a testimony to the sacrifices made by Indian Army personnel and youngsters will be aware of their heroic deeds. This becomes most crucial whilst the nation celebrates Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (commemoration of 75 years of Indian Independence),” stated Col Diptangshu Chaudhury, a struggle veteran of the Kargil battle.
