Sri Vijaya Puram, August 16: The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India’s only Tri-Services Command, commemorated the country’s 80th Independence Day with a ceremonial “Parade of Sails” off Flag Point in Sri Vijaya Puram, combining a maritime display with the historic legacy of the Islands in India’s freedom movement.
The event was led by Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Sailboats and other watercraft carrying the National Tricolour sailed in formation in the waters off Flag Point, while Indian naval ships dressed with colourful signal flags formed the backdrop to the Independence Day celebration.
In a post on X, the ANC said the National Flag flew prominently throughout the display as participating vessels manoeuvred in formation, describing the event as a tribute to seamanship, maritime heritage and patriotic spirit.
The celebration also drew attention to the historical significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India’s struggle for independence. The Cellular Jail in Sri Vijaya Puram, where hundreds of freedom fighters were imprisoned during British rule, remains one of the country’s most important memorials to the freedom movement.
Sri Vijaya Puram also occupies a prominent place in India’s nationalist history. On December 30, 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the National Flag at the Gymkhana Ground, now known as Netaji Stadium, and declared the Islands free from British rule. At that time, the Islands were under Japanese control after their capture during the Second World War, and Japanese-built bunkers and other wartime structures continue to exist across parts of the archipelago.
Bose arrived in Port Blair on December 29, 1943, accompanied by Anand Mohan Sahay, Captain Rawat, his aide-de-camp, and Col. D.S. Raju, his personal physician. He was received by the Japanese admiral in charge of the Islands and welcomed by Indian residents and members of the Indian community from Burma, now Myanmar.
During the visit, Bose renamed the Andaman Island as Shaheed and Nicobar Island as Swaraj, and appointed Indian National Army General A.D. Loganathan as governor. The Provisional Government of Azad Hind thereby exercised authority over Indian territory and had its own currency, civil code and stamps. Bose also fulfilled his pledge that the Indian National Army would stand on Indian soil before the end of 1943.
The Government renamed Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024, while Ross Island became Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep. Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep, respectively.
