Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 19 December 2024
On December 18, 2024, renowned journalist Shiv Aroor, Senior Executive Editor at India Today, shared a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that quickly caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Aroor praised the newly inaugurated terminal at Veer Savarkar International Airport in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which recently began international flight operations. His post also highlighted a notable poster displayed at the terminal.
Aroor wrote: “Veer Savarkar International Airport’s new terminal is excellent and has begun international flights. My personal favourite part — this prominently displayed poster on unnamed islands in Andaman & Nicobar recently named by the PM after 21 of our Param Vir Chakras.” The tweet included a photo of the poster showcasing the renamed islands.
Less than an hour later, Prime Minister Modi responded, reflecting on the significance of the naming initiative. His response emphasised the importance of preserving the legacies of India’s heroes, saying:
“Naming the islands in Andaman and Nicobar after our heroes is a way to ensure their service to the nation is remembered for generations to come. This is also part of our larger endeavour to preserve and celebrate the memory of our freedom fighters and eminent personalities who have left an indelible mark on our nation. After all, it is the nations that remain connected with their roots that move ahead in development and nation-building.”
The Prime Minister also shared a link to his speech from the naming ceremony. He then wrote: “Also, do enjoy Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Do visit the Cellular Jail as well and get inspired by the courage of the great Veer Savarkar.”
On January 23, 2023, during the celebrations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 126th birth anniversary, celebrated as Parakram Diwas, PM Modi named 21 previously unnamed islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after the Param Vir Chakra awardees.
In addition to this, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have seen several renaming initiatives under PM Modi’s leadership. In late 2018, he renamed Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep and Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep. Most recently, in September 2024, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was renamed from Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram.