India PM Modi ceremonially names 21 Andaman & Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday virtually participated in a ceremony to name 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman & Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, on the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary.

He also unveiled a model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji, which would be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.

“When history is being made, the future generations not just remember, assess and evaluate it, but also find constant inspiration from it. This day will be remembered by future generations as a significant chapter in the history of the country,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi further noted: “The voices of unprecedented passion along with immense pain are still heard from the cells of Cellular Jail today.”

“From Bengal to Delhi to Andaman, every part of the country salutes and cherishes the legacy of Netaji. The grand statue of Netaji in front of our democratic institutions and Kartavya Path reminds us of our duties,” the Prime Minister added.

He underlined that: “It is the duty of the country that the soldiers who dedicated themselves to national defence should be widely recognised along with the contributions of the army.”

The Prime Minister said that now people are coming to Andaman and Nicobar Islands to know and live the history of the country.

Modi lamented that the identity of Andaman was associated with the symbols of slavery instead of the memories of the freedom struggle and said: “Even the names of our islands had the imprint of slavery.”

He recalled his visit to Port Blair some years ago to rename the three main islands and informed: “Today Ross Island has become Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, Havelock and Neil Islands have become Swaraj and Shaheed Islands.”

He noted that the names, Swaraj and Shaheed were given by Netaji himself.

Modi remembered the special events that were held in Bengal on his 125th birth anniversary, the day declared as Parakram Diwas.

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Support me in repatriating Netaji’s last remains from Taiwan: Prof. Anita Bose Pfaff urges all Indians

As Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 126th birth anniversary was celebrated on January 23, his daughter Dr Anita Bose Pfaff on Monday requested all Indians to help in repatriating Netaji’s last remains from Taiwan.

“I request all Indians to support me to repatriate Netaji’s remains,” Dr Anita Bose Pfaff said while speaking to ANI.

“It is very unfortunate that he could not live to see free India. At least it would be a great substitute if his remains eventually could return to his motherland,” she added.

“And in that way, I support all men and women in India and invite them to participate in it,” she added.

She requested and invited all Indians to come forward and participate in helping her in repatriating Netaji’s last remains to India, his motherland.

“He (Netaji) could not set foot in free India. I wish at least his remains return to his motherland and find a final resting place. Documentation is proof that he died on August 18, 1945, in a plane crash in present-day Taiwan. I hope his ashes are brought back to the country,” added Netaji’s daughter when she spoke to ANI back in September 2022.

Netaji’s daughter also said while speaking to ANI on Monday that it was his (Netaji Subhash Chandra’s) dream that men and women of all castes and social strata lived equally in the country.

She said he can be honoured by putting up impressive statues, and naming islands for freedom fighters. She added, “If we are able to do that(gain equality), then that would be the greatest honour to him”.

“His only aim was to see a free India, he sacrificed his personal life and ultimately his own life for this goal. Countrymen will pay him for his sacrifice,” Dr Anita Bose Pfaff said.

She said that he can be honoured by putting up impressive statues, and naming islands, she further added that all that would make her happy but each and every human being should help each other for the betterment of each other’s lives.