Port Blair, March 12: In a move to honour the valour and sacrifices of our nation's heroes, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has proposed a poignant tribute at Marina Park. Last year, 21 unnamed islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were named after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, marking a significant gesture of remembrance and gratitude.
These Islands have been named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, viz. Major Somnath Sharma; Subedar and Honorary Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, MM; 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane; Nayak Jadunath Singh; Company Havildar Major Piru Singh; Capt GS Salaria; Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Dhan Singh Thapa; Subedar Joginder Singh; Major Shaitan Singh; CQMH. Abdul Hamid; Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore; Lance Naik Albert Ekka; Major Hoshiar Singh; 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal; Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon; Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran; Naib Subedar Bana Singh; Captain Vikram Batra; Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey; Subedar Major (then RifleMan) Sanjay Kumar; and Subedar Major Retd (Honorary Captain) Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, all of whom have left an indelible mark on the annals of our nation's history.
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, recognizing the significance of this gesture, has proposed an additional tribute to these heroes. He suggests the installation of images of the islands, along with photos and names of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, near the Param Vir Chakra Awardee Memorial at Marina Park. This initiative, he believes, will serve multiple purposes:
Inspiration for Children: Displaying the island images and names near the memorial will serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers. It will inspire children to learn about their valour and encourage them to emulate such qualities in their lives.
Accurate Inspiration for Tourists: Tourists visiting Marina Park will gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the Param Vir Chakra and the remarkable individuals it honours. This will add depth to their experience and foster a sense of respect and admiration for our armed forces.
Honouring Our Brave Jawans: By displaying the island names and images near the memorial, we would be paying homage to the bravery and selflessness of our defense forces. It would be a fitting tribute to those who are always ready to make any sacrifice for the motherland.
He said that he firmly believes that implementing this proposal would not only be a gesture of respect towards our nation's heroes but also a step towards instilling patriotism and gratitude in the hearts of our citizens and visitors alike.