Port Blair, Dec 30: It was a historic and great moment not only for the Islanders, but also for the rest of the country as it was on this day, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose for the first time, as provincial head, hoisted the National Tri-colour and declared these Islands and the country Independent in 1943, at the historic Gymkhana ground now Netaji Stadium. To mark the occasion, a function was organized by the Department of Arts and Culture at the Netaji Memorial this morning.
The Lt. Governor, Lt Gen. A K Singh (Retd.) hoisted the National Flag in the presence of Shri Inderesh Kumar, Marga Darshak, FANS, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, the Chairperson PBMC, Smt. Sheela Singh, Smt. Sarla Singh, National Gen. Secy., FANS, Smt. Rupa Ray, Shri Vishal Jolly, State President, BJP, Shri Pradip Joshi, Kshetriya Pracharak, Shri Girish Arora, President, FANS A&N Chapter, prominent citizens and senior officers of the Administration. A team of 25 delegates from Forum for Awareness of National Security (FANS) also attended the function.
Addressing the gathering, the Lt. Governor recalled the significance of the day and the contribution of the heroes of our freedom struggle. He said that this was the soil on which inhuman tortures were meted over hundreds of freedom fighters who fought valiantly for the Independence of our country. It is a memorable day for every Indian, he said.
The Lt Governor described the occasion as a sacred moment for the Islands in particular and the nation as a whole. Responding to the suggestion putforth by Shri Inderesh, the Lt Governor said that from next year, the commemorative function will be conducted in a broad scale. He directed the Chief Secretary to prepare a detailed plan about the programme involving the Member of Parliament, the Heritage Committee and the local people especially the old inhabitants of these islands.
The Lt Governor further stated that the aspect of declaring December 30 as ‘Restricted Holiday’ can also be looked into. Moving one step further, the Lt Governor asked the Secretary Tourism to include Dec.30 in the Islands Tourism Map as an event and organize a cultural extravaganza to celebrate this joyous occasion which will also help in boosting tourism in Isles. The Lt Governor asked the Principal Secretary, PWD to make the ‘Memorial of December 30’ more attractive. Keeping a visitors book, creating a Water Proof Photo Exhibition can be included, the Lt. Governor suggested.
The Lt Governor further stated that though the islanders observe this commemorative function every year but the programme got a a national level stature due to the efforts of FANS.
In his address, the Shri Inderesh Kumarji, Marg Darshak, FANS and General Secretary, RSS described the moment as an auspicious one, as he was able to pay his respect to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose who hoisted the first National Tricolour from this very soil. He said, ‘there cannot be a better way to respect the patriots than this, when we are paying our tribute at a historical place where Freedom Fighters have made supreme sacrifices for the liberation/independence of our Motherland’. It is really painful to learn that the Freedom Fighters are known as ‘War Criminals’. Even Netaji Subhash has the tag of ‘War Criminal’ in United Nations Organization. This tag needs to be removed as early as possible. They are Freedom Fighters and food, shelter and clothing was not a problem for them and they fought for the country. Appreciating the merits of these Islands which is moving forward with happiness, prosperity, unity, integration and social harmony, Shri Inderesh urged for taking a pledge on this auspicious day to maintain all these good merits in the future.
In his address on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray described the occasion as a historic one and recalled the contribution of the heroes of our freedom struggle. He stated that the pre-42 locals donated a sum of Rs 10,000/- when Netaji visited these Islands in Dec. 30 in 1943. He further said, people also donated the Chief of INA a sum of Rs 5000/- before he left these islands during that period.
The students of Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 shouted slogans of Subhash Chandra Bose ‘Jai Hind’ ‘Tum Mujhe Khoon Do Mein Thumhe Ajadi Doonga’ which reverberated in the air.
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