Sri Vijaya Puram, August 10: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on August 9 inaugurated the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ by hoisting the National Flag at Flag Point, Sri Vijaya Puram, marking August Kranti Diwas and commemorating the Quit India Movement of 1942. Speaking at a state function and Tiranga Concert on ‘Vande Mataram’ at the DBRAIT Auditorium, Radhakrishnan said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were an appropriate place to launch the campaign because of their deep association with India’s freedom struggle and the history of the Tricolour.
Recalling the sacrifices of freedom fighters who endured imprisonment and harsh conditions in the Cellular Jail, the Vice-President paid tribute to Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and other patriots. He described Savarkar as a fearless revolutionary whose patriotism inspired generations and recalled the attempt by British authorities to demoralise freedom fighters through imprisonment. He also highlighted Savarkar’s contribution to the fight against untouchability and social discrimination.
Radhakrishnan recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call of August 8, 1942, saying it awakened millions and gave fresh impetus to the freedom movement. He also referred to the islands’ place in the history of the National Flag, noting that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Tricolour here on December 30, 1943.
He said the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had developed into a nationwide people’s movement. He urged citizens to display the National Flag and uphold the values of patriotism, unity and collective responsibility. He also stressed that India’s pursuit of greater national strength was intended to safeguard its sovereignty and ensure that the country was never dictated to by others.
Radhakrishnan described the islands as an example of ‘Unity in Diversity’ and ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, while referring to their tribal heritage and progress in connectivity, healthcare, education and infrastructure. He said the Great Nicobar Island Development Project would strengthen maritime capabilities, connectivity and economic opportunities while balancing development with environmental conservation.
Lieutenant Governor Admiral D K Joshi said the islands held a significant place in the freedom struggle, recalling the penal settlements, solitary confinement, forced labour and gallows that marked the suffering of freedom fighters. He noted Bose’s 1943 flag hoisting and said a 150-foot flag post was unveiled at Flag Point in 2018 to mark the 75th anniversary of the historic event.
Joshi said the National Flag had since been unfurled across 754 islands, including islands named after Param Vir Chakra awardees. He also highlighted two Guinness World Records achieved through underwater flag-related events on May 2 and 3, including the unfurling of a 2,400-square-metre National Flag underwater and a 22-metre underwater human stack.
The Lieutenant Governor also outlined ongoing tourism, connectivity and infrastructure initiatives, including 12 new scuba diving sites, four ecotourism projects awarded under the PPP model, 11 more in the pipeline, double-laning of the Andaman Trunk Road, bridges, Greenfield airports and ports, improved shipping and regional air connectivity, and a 50-MW LNG-based power plant.
He said the Great Nicobar Island projects, including a transshipment terminal, Greenfield airport, township and supporting infrastructure, along with a Greenfield multipurpose deepwater port at Atlanta Bay, were intended to strengthen the islands’ role as a maritime gateway in the Indo-Pacific.
Chief Secretary Chanchal Yadav said the administration had extended the spirit of ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ beyond inhabited areas by carrying the Tricolour to remote and uninhabited islands of the Union Territory. The programme also featured a cultural presentation and a ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ exhibition.
The event was attended by senior officers of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and other dignitaries.
