The Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the picturesque Andaman & Nicobar Islands not only represent the nature’s splendor but are also a microcosm of India’s multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-linguistic social mosaic.
He was addressing the gathering at the ceremonial Civic Reception given by the Port Blair Municipal Corporation on his maiden visit to the islands of Andaman & Nicobar.
Calling islands an integral part of the national freedom struggle, the Vice President said that the place evokes a sense of reverence and inspiration because of their unique historical legacy as these islands were an integral part of the national freedom struggle. These islands are already attracting a lot of tourists and there is still a tremendous potential that can be tapped if connectivity can be further improved, he added
The Vice President has urged Centre and State Governments to sponsor visits of school and college students from different parts of the country to the Cellular Jail so that they get acquainted with the sacrifices made by our valiant freedom fighters. While the islands have become one of the favorite destinations for tourists, their connection with India’s freedom struggle needs to be highlighted so that the people in the rest of the country, particularly the younger generation become aware of the infamous Cellular Jail at Port Blair, where many of India’s freedom fighters were tortured by the British in the most cruel and brutal manner, he added.
The Vice President called the islands a precious jewel given by the Mother Nature and said that they must be preserved in their pristine purity. Let us add more lustre to them by making them hubs of sustainable socio-economic development. Let us make them the inspirational lighthouses of historical legacy, he added.
The Vice President emphasized on the importance of protecting the environment, pristine natural wealth of these islands. While complimenting the administration for taking up various developmental and welfare measures, we must ensure that the nature and the indigenous tribes who have been living here for thousands of years are protected, he added.
