NEW DELHI:
PM has announced new names for 3 islands in Andaman & Nicobar, honouring Netaji Bose and his Indian National Army. Ross Island is now Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island is Shaheed Dweep, Havelock Island is Swaraj Dweep. All 3 are in South Andaman district.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep (Ross Island) was once a settlement where the British established a penal colony and later buildings including troop barracks. It was gradually abandoned following a massive earthquake and World War II.
Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) 39 km northeast of Port Blair, is one of the bigger islands in the Andaman group with an area of 113 sq km. It has several white sand beaches, rich coral reefs and lush green rainforest. In 2001, Swaraj Dweep had a population of 5,354.
Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) is a miniature version of Havelock Island, just south of it. Its beaches are named after characters from the Ramayana (Laxmanpur, Sitapur, Ramnagar, etc.) The island is 5 km across at its widest point. In 2001, 2,868 people lived on it.
“From today, the three islands in Andaman and Nicobar- Ross Island will be known with the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister hoisted a 150-feet national flag at Port Blair to mark the 75th anniversary of freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose’s announcement regarding the formation of Azad Hind government in 1943.
Modi also introduced a number of schemes aimed at the welfare of the island region and said the government is working towards framing a detailed plan to improve infrastructure in the Andamans. Modi also visited the Tsunami memorial and paid respects to those who lost their lives in the 2004 tsunami on the Indian Ocean.
Interacting with people in Car Nicobar, he said the government is committed to bringing development in the region, assuring that basic facilities will be provided at all times.
“Besides security, the government is working to ensure that Car Nicobar gets development, education for children, job opportunities for youth, medical facilities for the elderly and irrigation for farmers,” PM Modi said.
