Swaraj Dweep, May 02: In a major milestone for the ongoing marine event at Swaraj Dweep, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Saturday morning successfully completed the official registration process for a Guinness World Record attempt to unfurl the largest national flag underwater.
The attempt, centred at Radhanagar Beach, involved a massive 2,400 square metre Indian tricolour, positioning the islands to challenge the global benchmark set in 2024. The record to beat, 2,027.70 square metres, had been achieved by Mohammed Al Moayed off Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.
Saturday morning’s development marked the formal entry of the Andaman attempt into the structured verification system of Guinness World Records, following weeks of preparation, documentation, and coordination. Officials confirmed that the registration aligned with the pre-approved category guidelines, including safety protocols, diver participation structure, and evidence planning requirements.
Lt Governor Admiral D. K. Joshi played a central role in the initiative. He had earlier participated in a preparatory dive and assisted in the unfolding of the flag ahead of the main event. During the attempt, he formally handed over the tricolour to the diving team and signalled the start of the operation, remaining present throughout the execution.
The record attempt formed part of a larger four-day programme held at Swaraj Dweep between May 1 and May 4, combining two separate underwater challenges. While the flag unfurling remained the headline event, a second attempt to create the tallest underwater human stack is scheduled for the following day at the offshore Lighthouse Dive Site, where the Lt Governor is also expected to participate.
Execution of the flag attempt took place within a tightly controlled morning window, taking advantage of optimal sea conditions and visibility. Nearly 180 divers, including personnel from the Indian Navy, Forest Department, Police Marine Force, and the local scuba diving community, participated in the coordinated underwater operation.
The process involved divers assembling underwater and unfolding the tricolour in a synchronised formation, while surface observers tracked timing and participant counts. Underwater video documentation and independent witnesses formed part of the verification protocol that will determine final approval.
The choice of Radhanagar Beach as the execution site reflected its suitability for shoreline observation, stable water conditions, and accessibility for monitoring teams. These factors remained critical in underwater record attempts, which require precise coordination between divers and surface observers within narrow execution windows.
The initiative also drew participation from across the Andaman tourism network, with representatives from scuba centres, hotels, ferry operators, and travel companies attending as observers. Organisers said the event was designed not only to break records but also to showcase the islands’ capability to host complex, large-scale marine activities.
With the official registration completed and verification teams already present on the island, the Andaman attempt moved into its execution phase. If successful, the unfurling of the 2,400 sq m tricolour could place Swaraj Dweep on the global record map, surpassing the existing benchmark and marking a significant moment for the region’s adventure tourism ambitions.
