New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Parakram Diwas celebrations on Friday via video conferencing from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Marking the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of 23 January as a day of courage, valor, and inspiration drawn from Netaji’s legacy.
He noted that over the years, Parakram Diwas has become an integral festival of national spirit. It is a remarkable coincidence that several important national events occur in late January: Parakram Diwas on 23 January, Voters’ Day on 25 January, Republic Day on 26 January, the Beating Retreat on 29 January, and the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January. The Prime Minister extended his warm greetings to all citizens on the occasion of Parakram Diwas.
Honouring Andaman’s Historic Role in India’s Freedom Struggle
The main event of Parakram Diwas in 2026 was held in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a region steeped in history of bravery and sacrifice. The Cellular Jail, which housed countless freedom fighters including Veer Savarkar, stands as a testament to this legacy. The Prime Minister emphasized that the islands symbolize the enduring spirit of freedom, having witnessed the torture and sacrifices of many revolutionaries whose efforts only intensified the flame of the independence movement.
He recalled that even before India’s independence in 1947, on 30 December 1943, the Indian tricolour was hoisted on these islands, marking a historic moment. In 2018, during the 75th anniversary of this event, he had the honour of hoisting the national flag once again at the same site, a symbol of countless freedom fighters’ fulfilled dreams.
Renaming Islands to Reflect New Identity
Post-independence, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the islands’ glorious history was unfortunately neglected due to political insecurities and attempts to restrict the credit for freedom to a single family. This led to the islands being identified by colonial names even decades after independence. To correct this injustice, the government renamed Port Blair to Shri Vijaya Puram, commemorating Netaji’s victory, along with other islands being renamed Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, and Subhash Dweep.
In 2023, 21 islands were named after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees from the Indian armed forces. These changes reflect the ongoing effort to erase the colonial legacy and establish a proud identity for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in independent India.
Netaji’s Vision and India’s Path to Strength
PM Modi described Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose not only as a great hero of the freedom struggle but also as a visionary for modern India—one whose vision combined progress with India’s ancient cultural ethos. The government has taken several initiatives to honour Netaji, including establishing a dedicated museum at the Red Fort, installing a large statue near India Gate, and instituting the Subhas Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award.
The Prime Minister stressed that these initiatives serve as eternal inspiration for today’s youth and the future of India. He reiterated Netaji’s dream of a strong nation, underlining India’s current journey as a resilient and determined country. Citing recent operations like ‘Operation Sindoor’, he highlighted India’s growing capability to defend itself effectively.
He further pointed out India’s strides towards defence self-reliance, with defence exports surpassing Rs 23,000 crore and indigenous products like BrahMos missiles gaining global attention. The strength of India’s armed forces is being enhanced through homegrown technology and innovation.
Concluding, the Prime Minister called upon all 140 crore Indians to unite in working towards a developed India, strengthened by the spirit of self-reliance and inspired continuously by the courage celebrated on Parakram Diwas. He extended his heartfelt greetings once again on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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