Port Blair, Jan 19: The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today visited the historic location at South Point here. In a Face book Post, Shri Naidu wrote...

 “Visited the historic location at South Point in Port Blair where NetajiSubhash Chandra Bose hoisted the Tricolor on 30th December 1943 for the first time and declared the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the first Indian territory to be freed from British Raj.

The Japanese imperial forces were in occupation of these islands from 23rd March 1943 during the World War. On 6th November 1943, the then Prime Minister of Japan had declared in the Tokyo Assembly of Greater East Asiatic Nations that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands would be transferred to the provisional Government, Azad Hind.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was the Supreme Commander of Azad Hind Fauj and head of the state of provisional government of Azad Hind. While hoisting the Tricolor on 30th December 1943, Netaji was accompanied by officials of Azad Hind Fauj and the provisional government of Azad Hind.

I am delighted that the Prime Minister NarendraModi had commemorated the 75th year of the first hoisting of the Tricolour on the Indian soil by Netaji and had unfurled the Tricolor on a 150-feet high Flag mast. 

I appreciate the UT Administration for developing a beautiful Sea Promenade, which has a wall depicting ‘Jai Hind’, granite pillars paying tributes to unknown soldiers and depicting ‘Jai Hind!’ in 14 Indian languages, a wall depicting its history and  a huge depiction of the year ‘1943’. I am happy that the project was undertaken under the Smart City mission. I also compliment the Port Blair Municipal Council for having facilitated its completion in a record time of 45 days.”