Port Blair, Feb 28: The three days National Seminar on ‘Swantantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: Freedom Struggle and Bharatiya Nationalism’, organized by the Indian Council of Historical Research, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, in academic collaboration with Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana, (ABISY), New Delhi concluded with a valedictory session in the auditorium of the DBRAIT, Dollygunj here today. The Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM, (Retd.) was the chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, while recalling the role of Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the Freedom Struggle history of India said, the first phase of the Freedom Movement of India started with the First War of Independence in the year 1857 during which the penal settlement started in these Islands at Chatham Island, Ross Island and then Viper Island till the Cellular Jail was established in 1906 marking the beginning of the second phase. As we don’t have elaborate information about this phase, the ICHR and Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana may do some research so that more information and understanding about freedom struggle of that phase can be gathered, said the Hon’ble Lt Governor. In this phase, an Anglo-Manipur War also took place in 1890, after which more than 20 members of the Royal Family of Manipur were sentenced to ‘Kalapani’, and were confined in these Islands. They were kept at Mount Harriet. Two years ago, in 2021, the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah renamed it as Manipur Parvat, and in co-ordination with the Govt. of Manipur, a Manipur Memorial is being developed here which will be completed within few years, he said.

Though there are sufficient records and information about the second phase-that is the period between 1906 and 1947, there is not much information available in the public domain for the awareness of general public, he said urging the ICHR and ABISY to create mass awareness regarding this second phase during which a lot of people had made significant contributions in the freedom struggle of India, by conducting seminars and workshops.

The Hon’ble Lt. Governor further stated that there is no place other than Andamans which has a deep connect with the freedom struggle of India right since its beginning and to till date. Though the name of Veer Savarkar found a mention in the Veer Savarkar International Airport long time ago, but the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose came into limelight when the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visited these Islands and hoisted the National Flag at the Flag Point and renamed the then Ross Island as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, said the Hon’ble Lt. Governor. He further said that the common perception of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is known as the celebration of 75th year of India’s Independence. One phase ended in 1947 when due to the sacrifices of freedom fighters, we got freedom. However, after 1947, our freedom was challenged through different wars which we should not forget as we celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The Hon’ble Lt. Governor also informed that on Jan 23, 2023, the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi named 21 un-named Islands of A&N Islands on the names of Param Vir Chakra Awardees. This shows the connection of these Islands with the freedom struggle of the country since 1857 to till date.

The Hon’ble Lt Governor congratulated the ICHR and ABISY for conducting the seminar. He said, freedom of the country should not be taken for granted and the younger generation should make efforts in knowing more about the immense contribution of the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to attain Independence for the country. He also urged the ICHR and ABISY to conduct more such seminars and workshop to create awareness among the students about our hard earned freedom. 

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, at the outset thanked the Ministry of Education, GoI, ICHR and Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana (ABISY), for selecting A&N Islands for organising this all important National Seminar wherein the people of A&N Island got an opportunity to know more about the two patriots of our Motherland -Veer Savarkar and Netaji Subhas, from eminent speakers drawn from different parts of India.

The Chief Secretary said, the history of these Islands is very much associated with Veer Savarkar and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He also enlightened the students who were present in good numbers, about the old history of A&N Islands- till the attainment of independence by India in 1947. He informed the gathering about the imprisonment of Savarkar Brothers in Cellular Jail and the tortures meted to them during their incarceration in the Jail by the British while the other convicts were allowed some facilities. The Cellular Jail was closed in 1937. On the other side, Provisional Govt. of India (PGI) came into being under the leadership of Netaji, he said. The Chief Secretary further informed that it was a historic moment when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the National tricolor, on 30th Dec, 1943, declaring A&N Islands Independent. “It was a proud moment for the Islanders that the tricolour was hoisted on an Indian soil that is Andaman & Nicobar Islands”, he said adding that the contribution of both Veer Savarkar and Netaji Subhas in the attainment of India’s Independence is unforgettable. The A&N Islands cannot forget the contribution of these patriots in the freedom struggle of India, he said.

In his address, the special guest, Shri Pradeep Chandrakant Parulekar, Chairman, Patil Pawan Mandir, established by Veer Savarkar, expressed his happiness over attending the programme organised by the ICHR in this sacred land. He congratulated the participants of the seminar who have presented papers which enabled the students to know more about the two great patriots of our Country that is Veer Savarkar and Netaji Subhas.

Dr. Ravi Ranjan Sen, Secretary, West Bengal & Andaman, Akhil Bhartiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana, presented a report on the three days seminar and informed about the valuable papers presented by the participants providing more information about these two Patriots of our Country.

Prof. Veenu Pant, History Deptt., Sikkim University, in her address, underlined the need for establishing cultural values among the younger generations. She said it is more important to acquire knowledge about the purpose for which the great patriots of our country sacrificed their lives rather remembering them only on one or two occasions in a year.

Shri Hemant Mazumder, Senior Pracharak & National General Secretary, Akhil Bhartiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana, described the occasion as a historic one owing to the fact that on one hand India is celebrating the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and on the other the hand, our Country has assumed the Presidency of G-20. He said our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to attain freedom for us. He expressed hope that the students who attended the 3 days seminar have been able to get more knowledge about the contributions of these two great freedom fighters or our country.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. Bhuvan Jha, History Dept., Delhi University, welcomed the gathering. Shri Ashutosh Kumar Mishra had coordinated the event. The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Deputy Director, ICHR, Dr. Saurabh Mishra.