Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 2: The Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan, is scheduled to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the coming week, with an itinerary focused on honouring the Islands’ rich legacy in India’s freedom movement and visiting some of its most significant historical landmarks.
Radhakrishnan, who assumed office as the 15th Vice President of India, is the country’s second-highest constitutional authority after the President and serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. A seasoned public representative with decades of experience, he has previously served as the Governor of Maharashtra and Jharkhand, besides holding additional charge as the Governor of Telangana and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. He has also represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha and served as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Tamil Nadu unit.
During his visit, the Vice President is expected to pay homage at the iconic Cellular Jail in Sri Vijaya Puram, one of the country’s most revered national monuments. Popularly known as Kala Pani, the Cellular Jail stands as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by countless freedom fighters who endured imprisonment, torture and isolation during India’s struggle for Independence. The visit is expected to include floral tributes to the martyrs whose courage and resilience continue to inspire generations.
The Vice President is also scheduled to visit Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, formerly known as Ross Island. Once the administrative headquarters of the British in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the island occupies a prominent place in the nation’s history following the visit of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in December 1943 after the Islands were symbolically handed over to the Provisional Government of Azad Hind.
Another key destination on the itinerary is Viper Island, which predates the Cellular Jail as one of the earliest British penal settlements in the Islands. The island’s prison once housed several freedom fighters and political prisoners, making it an important chapter in the history of colonial repression in the Andamans.
The Vice President’s visit is expected to reaffirm the enduring national importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India’s freedom movement. While the Islands today are recognised for their strategic location and natural beauty, they also occupy a unique place in the country’s historical consciousness as the land where countless patriots made extraordinary sacrifices for India’s independence.
Detailed programmes and official engagements are expected to be announced by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration in the coming days.
