Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Dec 24: The Prime Minister of Indian, Mr. Narendra Modi might declare renaming of Havelock Island to Swaraj Dweep, Neil Island to Shaheed Dweep and Ross Island to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island.
The Print, reported today that while the proposal has been cleared by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the announcement will be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Port Blair on 30 December, to mark the 75th anniversary of Bose’s historic visit to the islands.
“The government has decided to announce the change of name for the three islands —Havelock Island, Neil Island and Ross Island — as a tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose,” The Print quoted a home ministry official. “It will be announced along with other plans for the islands during PM’s visit at the end of this month.”
On 30 December 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had hoisted the national flag at the Gymkhana Ground (now Netaji Stadium) in Port Blair and announced that the islands were the first Indian territory to be freed from British rule. The islands at the time were captured by the Japanese during World War II.
Bose had then named Andaman Island as Shaheed and Nicobar Island as Swaraj and had appointed INA general A.D. Loganathan as its governor.
Surprisingly the matter of renaming three Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is known to media houses in New Delhi but local administration has till now did not issue any press release for the information of people of these Islands.
