New Delhi : The Modi Government has taken a series of initiatives to honour freedom fighters. The famous Ross Island in Andamans has been rechristened after Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Moreover, 'Mount Manipur' is to come up in place of Mount Harriet Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
This will be unique and a very special tribute to illustrious freedom fighters Yuvraj Tikendrajit and General Thangal.
“Manipur had a significant contribution in resisting the British in the entire Northeast during the 1857 Revolution and also in 1891. Manipur never gave up and the people there continued to fight," Home Minister Amit Shah said during his visit to Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on October 16.
He further said: "Manipur was the only state that had implemented its own Constitution. Manipuri war heroes Yuvraj Tikendrajit and General Thangal were publicly hanged in Fida, Imphal. The British thought that by hanging them, they had crushed the freedom movement, but it did not happen".
Mr Shah also mentioned Maharaja Kulchandra Dhwaja Singh and 22 freedom fighters were sent to 'Kala Pani' and they were kept here on Mount Harriet.
"Today, in his memory, we would like to honour his contribution by naming Mount Harriet as Mount Manipur,” the Home Minister said.
A delighted Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh tweeted: "Yet again, PM @narendramodi Ji & HM @AmitShah Ji has kindly given most befitting recognition to Manipur’s contribution to The Freedom Struggle, sealing for us a connection with national history. Indebted forever, Manipur salutes your leadership. Thank you".
Mr Shah also said freedom fighters, including Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, were not given their due in independent India.
The Home Minister said that the Manipur government has plans to build a memorial at the spot and he added that the memorial will inspire tourists, the youth and the younger generation across the country on how to fight with limited resources.
Ross Island to be named after Subhash Bose:
Mr Shah, who is in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on a three-day visit., on Saturday, inaugurated various development projects on Ross Island, which has now been renamed as Netaji Subhash Island. “The bright pole star in the history of the freedom movement, Netaji did not receive as much importance as he should have. For years, attempts were made to downplay many well-known leaders of the Independence movement and their contributions. But now the time has come that everyone should find their proper place in history," the Home Minister said.
