Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], January 23 (ANI): Telangana Jagruthi founder K Kavitha on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands be renamed as 'Azad Hind' to honour freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

In her letter written on the occasion of Parakram Diwas today, Kavitha recalled that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the national flag in Port Blair on December 30, 1943, and declared the islands as the first Indian territory liberated from British rule. She noted that Netaji had named the islands Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep under the Provisional Government of Azad Hind.

Kavitha said that while some islands have been renamed in recent years, the archipelago's collective identity continues to bear the nomenclature of the British era. She asserted that the name 'Azad Hind' symbolises India's first assertion of sovereignty and would permanently commemorate Netaji's contribution to the freedom struggle.

Describing the proposed renaming as a matter of national pride, she said it would inspire future generations, reinforce cultural consciousness and align India's geography with its freedom movement history. Kavitha urged the Union Government to initiate the necessary constitutional and administrative processes to implement the change, calling it a fitting tribute to Netaji's courage and vision of an independent India.

Earlier, on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, celebrated as Parakram Diwas across the country.

Shah had announced on September 13, 2024 that the Centre has decided to rename the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Port Blair as 'Sri Vijaya Puram'

The Home Minister said in a statement then that inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to free the nation from the colonial imprints, 'today we have decided to rename Port Blair as 'Sri Vijaya Puram.''

Shah said that while the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' unique role in the same. He added that Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history. The island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations.

Amit Shah said that it is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of our Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Ji and also the cellular jail in which Veer Savarkar Ji and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation.

In the year 2018, three islands of Andaman and Nicobar were renamed. The Ross Island was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep.

Bose who was born in Cuttack, Odisha, on 23 January 1897 to advocate Janakinath Bose went on to play a key role in the freedom movement.

He is known for establishing the Azad Hind Fauj.

January 23 is also celebrated as Parakram Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The Central government had declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021. (ANI)