21 uninhabited Andaman and Nicobar islands named after adorned troopers

Port Blair: The authorities has determined to call 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 within the North and Middle Andaman districts, 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’m joyful that the Centre has chosen 21 islands from Andaman to honour our courageous troopers. I might additionally wish to request the administration to publish a small handbook for schoolchildren in order that they’ll study extra 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.

The first uninhabited island numbered ‘INAN370’ in North and Middle Andaman was named after Major Somnath Sharma. Now ‘INAN370’ can be generally known as ‘Somnath Dweep’. He was the primary and the primary recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.

Sharma misplaced his life within the line of responsibility on 3 November 1947 whereas dealing with Pakistani infiltrators close to Srinagar Airport. He was posthumously awarded the very best army award for his gallantry and sacrifice throughout the Battle of Badgam.

Subedar and Honorary Captain Karam Singh who fought within the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for saving a ahead publish at Richmar Gali, south of Tithwal (a small border-village in Jammu and Kashmir) was additionally honoured after the Andaman administration and the Defence Ministry named one other 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- have been honoured after the islands have been named after them.

“Christening of the 21 uninhabited islands of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago with names of Param Vir Chakra heroes is a real tribute to the soldiers “who had given their today for our tomorrow,” the MP stated.

Some of the 21 islands fall beneath reserved forest whereas some have nice potential for water sports activities, creek tourism and fishing.

The Andamans generally and the Cellular Jail specifically performed a distinguished half within the historical past of our freedom wrestle. 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 beneath barbaric situations. Great stalwarts of the liberty wrestle 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 battle veteran of the Kargil battle.