Port Blair, November 19: Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) A. K. Singh today led the Islanders in paying tributes to the former Prime Minister of India, Late Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary observed as National Integration Day. To mark the occasion, a function was held at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium this morning, wherein the Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) A. K. Singh paid floral tributes to late Indira Gandhi followed by public representatives, senior officers of the Administration, staff and officers of various Govt. departments and members of the public.
The Lt Governor also administered a pledge to all those present to work, with dedication, to preserve and strengthen the freedom and integrity of the nation and never to resort to violence. Teachers of the Education Department rendered patriotic songs on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Lt Governor said “we must first consider ourselves as Indian, which is our true identity and, thereafter, feel proud of being an Islander”. Referring to his plan for development of the Islands, he stated that the LG’s Advisory Committee, which will have representation from all sections of the society, will meet every 3 months to deliberate how development of the Islands can be taken forward. “It is my desire that development must reach all sections of people, for which, it is imperative that all of us must work together collectively” he said. Our mantra to work should be “I can and I will’ and we must not just think what the State is giving us rather we should think what we are doing for the country, he observed.
Referring to the challenges ahead, he stated that communication and connectivity are the two big challenges and the Administration is focusing its efforts on them. Underscoring the need for developing the spirit of self-help, the Lt Governor urged the people to reduce dependency on the government for everything. Describing the Islands as a mini-India with true spirit of nationalism, he stated that the Islands are actually the true representation of the Constitution of India. The function concluded with the National Anthem
