PM Modi to rename three Andaman & Nicobar Islands on December 30

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be renaming three islands of Andaman and Nicobar - Ross Island, Neil Island and Havelock Island to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep, respectively on December 30 from Port Blair. 

The renaming of the islands will reportedly take place to mark the 75th year of freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose hoisting the national flag at Port Blair.

Subhash Chandra Bose had hoisted the flag at Port Blair on December 30, 1943, as he believed that Port Blair was the first territory to be freed from British rule. This happened after the Japenese captured that area during the time of the Second World War. 

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Bose had reportedly suggested back then that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands be renamed as Shahid and Swaraj Dweep.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, Chandra Kumar Bose, grand nephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose explained the historical significance of December 30, saying, "Netaji, as the first Prime Minister of undivided India, visited Port Blair on 30th December 1943 and hoisted the tricolour at Port Blair and liberated these Islands from the clutches of British imperialism."

"I am very happy to state that the NDA government has decided to rename three islands. I think it was the duty of the Congress government of that era to have done this on 30th of December in 1947 itself. But it took 72 long years to really honour the soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj, who fought the final battle for India's freedom," asserted Bose.

Endorsing the move, he further added that the Prime Minister is changing the British names of the islands, which still bring horror to India. "We need to change names where ever it is necessary, wherever it has historical importance," he added.

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