15th August is joyfully celebrated every year to commemorate the greatest moment in our history — the day our country gained freedom. Today, we pay collective homage to those freedom fighters and patriots who laid down their lives to free Mother India. Andaman & Nicobar Islands figure prominently in the history of our freedom struggle because the first batch of Indian freedom fighters were brought here in 1858. It was in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands that the Indian tri-colour was first hoisted on 30th December 1943 by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
On this special day, as citizens of our great country, let us pledge to work in harmony to uphold the values imbibed through our Constitution, so that India continues to march forward on the path of peace and all round progress.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration, on this occasion, solemnly commits that it will strive for all round development of the islands. Foremost among our tasks will be to provide quality education and health care to the people of our Islands. Connectivity is our lifeline and our special emphasis will be on improving air and shipping services as well as telecommunication. Development of Tourism, Cottage Industries and Fisheries, which have the potential for employment generation for our youth, will be our focus area.
I am also conscious of our responsibility to preserve and protect our social and cultural heritage, and the need to strike a harmonious balance between development and environmental conservation. It shall be our earnest endeavour to provide a responsive and transparent administration to the people.
On this Anniversary of our glorious independence, I extend my heartiest greetings to the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and wish you all peace, prosperity and progress.
Sd/-
Lt Gen (Retd) A K Singh
Lieutenant Governor
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
