Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration at Sri Vijaya Puram. On this occasion, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D K Joshi (Retd.) and the Union Home Secretary, Shri Govind Mohan, along with several other dignitaries, were present. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated an exhibition based on the three new laws in Sri Vijaya Puram.

In his address on the occasion, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that on this very land, many martyred freedom fighters who fought for India’s independence spent years of their lives in the Cellular Jail built by the British. He said that many people breathed their last here, strengthening India’s freedom struggle, and many brave souls were hanged. He said that today, the memorial of Veer Savarkar and the eternal flame lit in the Cellular Jail tell the entire world that many great souls sacrificed their lives here. Shri Shah said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was the first to hoist the Tricolour at this place of free India, and in his memory and honour of his words, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi named two islands as Shaheed and Swaraj. He said that Prime Minister Modi has undertaken the task of naming every island in this archipelago after heroes of the Indian freedom struggle. He said that this land is a pilgrimage site for every citizen of free India, because it was here that our freedom fighters endured suffering as strength, solitude as resolve, and torture as the path to freedom, ultimately achieving independence.

Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Modi has transformed this island into a strategic power. He said that he previous government considered Andaman and Nicobar a burden on the exchequer; under the Modi government, it will contribute to the country's treasury. He said that this transformation witnessed over the past 11 years is the result of a resolve to dedicate oneself to the service of the nation, considering every particle of the country as Mother India. He said that in line with this vision, nine major development projects were inaugurated and the foundation stone for two projects was laid here today, and in a single day, development works worth ₹373 crore were gifted to this island. Shri Shah said that these development projects include an Integrated Command and Control Centre with a cost of ₹229 crore. He said that the inauguration of Phase-I of the district hospital at a cost of ₹33 crore, the inauguration of a Forensic Science Laboratory, and the inauguration of six other schemes at a cost of ₹50 crore also took place today. Union Home Minister said that through these development projects, a new chapter in the development of our islands is beginning today.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that an exhibition showcasing three new criminal laws was also inaugurated here today. He said that everyone should visit this exhibition so that they can gain an understanding of the fundamental changes that will take place in the criminal justice system in the coming days, and of the legal backing to technology. He said that all lawyers here, young students, especially women, should see this exhibition.

Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Modi has launched a nationwide campaign to free the country from symbols of colonial rule, and that is why Port Blair has been renamed Sri Vijaya Puram, and the islands have been named after our brave freedom fighters. He said that today, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are, in a way, emerging as a centre of our freedom, sovereignty, maritime power, and economic activities. He said that while the Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer immense potential for the blue economy and tourism, they also reflect the memories of freedom fighters from every region of the country. Shri Shah said that the Modi Government is committed to making this island an integral part of a developed India, while preserving its heritage, protecting the environment, and strengthening security.

Union Home Minister said that be it tourism or environment, fisheries or agriculture, MSMEs or clean energy, development has started taking place here in every sector. He said that the upcoming project in Great Nicobar will make the Andaman and Nicobar Islands an important global trade hub and a centre of strategic security on the world map. He said that a decade after the completion of this project, this place will become one of the most visited destinations by tourists in the world.

Shri Amit Shah said that by upgrading the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in accordance with ISO standards for scuba diving, several steps have been taken to develop the place as a global destination for scuba diving and adventure water sports. He said that under Prime Minister Modi’s appeal of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, 2.4 million trees have been planted here, showing concern for the environment. He said that collection of waste from 98% of the houses by the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council is a historic success of the Swachh Bharat Mission. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has risen from the world’s 11^th largest economy to the 4^th position, and in just two years, the country will reach the 3^rd position. Shri Shah said that the nation is witnessing economic growth, becoming a global manufacturing hub, becoming more secure, and moving forward by revitalizing traditions and drawing strength from its culture and history. He said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the people of India have brought about wide-ranging changes across every sector, ushering in a new chapter of holistic development.

Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Modi has taken a resolve, and also inspired 130 crore Indians to take a pledge, that at the time of the centenary of Independence, India will be number one in the world in every field. He said that to achieve this goal, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the use of indigenous products by Indians are extremely important. He said that to become a developed nation, the country must become self-reliant in every sector, and every Indian must also take a pledge to use indigenous products.

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