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 embellished 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 schoolchildren 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,” Mr. Sharma mentioned.
The first uninhabited island numbered ‘INAN370’ in North and Middle Andaman was named after Major Somnath Sharma. Now ‘INAN370’ shall be often called ‘Somnath Dweep’. He was the primary and the primary recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Sharma misplaced his life within the line of obligation on 3 November 1947 whereas dealing with Pakistani infiltrators close to Srinagar Airport. He was posthumously awarded the 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 put up 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 an actual tribute to the troopers who had given their right this moment for our tomorrow,” the MP mentioned.
Some of the 21 islands fall below reserved forest whereas some have nice potential for water sports activities, creek tourism and fishing.
The Andamans typically and the Cellular Jail particularly performed a outstanding 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 below barbaric circumstances. 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),” mentioned Col. Diptangshu Chaudhury, a battle veteran of the Kargil battle.