Port Blair, Aug 03: The Swarnim Vijay Varsh Flame or the Victory Flame was lit by the PM Shri Narendera Modi on 16 Dec 20 from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial and is travelling to all four cardinal directions of our country to commemorate 50 years of our historic victory and to celebrate the bravery of our soldiers during 1971 Indo- Pak war.
As part of its journey to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Victory Flame was welcomed at the Andaman Sea by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard Ships of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) with the sound of 50 gongs.The Victory Flame reached Port Blair Naval Jetty onboard INS Sumedha. The Flame was ceremonially received by the Lieutenant Governor Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral DK Joshi (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM, along with Lieutenant General Ajai Singh, AVSM Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN). The victory flame was accorded a joint Guard of Honour comprising of defence personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard components of the ANC.
The solemn and grand ceremony at the Naval Jetty was witnessed by war veterans, senior officers, officers of civil administration and personal of ANC with fervor, nostalgia and enthusiasm. Admiral DK Joshi (Retd), the LG, A&N Islands, addressed the gathering and formally handed over the Victory Flame to the CINCAN, for conduct of commemorative activities under the aegis of the ANC. The Lieutenant Governor and CINCAN also interacted with war veterans, senior officers and personnel of ANC during the event, recognizing their efforts towards ensuring safety and security of the country.
The Victory Flame post handing over to CINCAN travelled to Headquarter ANC, Goal Ghar Jn, Secretariat, Fire Brigade Jn and later to Flag Point where it was handed over to the Military Component Commander of the Andaman and Nicobar Command for further display at the historic location.
