The Modi government has named 21 uninhabited islands within the union territory of Andaman & Nicobar after recipients of Param Vir Chakra, the nation’s highest wartime gallantry award. Out of the 21 islands, 16 are positioned in North and Middle Andaman district, whereas 5 islands are in South Andaman.

The first uninhabited island numbered ‘INAN370’ in North and Middle Andaman was named after Major Somnath Sharma. Now ‘INAN370’ will likely be referred to as ‘Somnath Dweep’. He was the primary and the primary recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Major Sharma lost his on 3 November 1947 while fighting Pakistani infiltrators close to Srinagar Airport. He was posthumously awarded the best navy award for his gallantry and sacrifice throughout the Battle of Badgam.

Subedar and Honorary Captain Karam Singh who fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for saving a forward post at Richmar Gali, south of Tithwal (a small border-village in Jammu and Kashmir). Uninhabited island numbered ‘INAN308’ was named after him as ‘Karam Singh Dweep’.

Similarly, Major Rama Raghoba Rane, Naik Jadunath Singh, Company Havildar Major Piru Singh Shekhawat, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa Magar, Subedar Joginder Singh Sahnan, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore, Lance Naik Albert Ekka, Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran, Captain Bana Singh, Captain Vikram Batra, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar – all recipients of the Param Vir Chakra- were honoured after the islands were named after them.

This initiative by the Modi government is a fitting tribute to the real heroes who have given their today for our tomorrow. Several prominent freedom fighters like Swatantryaveer Savarkar were imprisoned in the solitary cells of Andaman’s Cellular jail by the British where they faced barbaric conditions. By honoring our Param Vir Chakra recipients whilst the nation celebrates Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (commemoration of 75 years of Indian Independence), the Modi government has once again made the country proud of its rich heritage and past.

Here is a full list (Param Vir Chakra awardee – Island name):

1. Major Somnath Sharma – Somnath Island
2. Subedar & Hony Caption (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, MM – Karam Singh Island
3. 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane – Rane Island
4. Nayak Jadunath Singh – Jadunath Island
5. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh – Piru Island
6. Capt GS Salaria – Salaria Island
7. Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Dhan Singh Thapa – Dhan Singh Island
8. Subedar Joginder Singh – Joginder Island
9. Major Shaitan Singh – Shaitan Singh Island
10. CQHM. Abdul Hamid – Hamid Island
11. Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore – Tarapore Island
12. Lance Naik Albert Ekka – Ekka Island
13. Major Hoshiar Singh – Hoshiar Island
14. 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal – Khetrapal Island
15. Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon – Sekhon Island
16. Major Ramaswamy Parameswaram – Ramaswamy Island
17. Naib Subedar Bana Singh – Bana Island
18. Captain Vikram Batra – Batra Island
19. Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey – Pandey Island
20. Subedar Major (then RifleMan) Sanjay Kumar – Sanjay Island
21. Subedar Major Retd (Hony Captain)Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav – Yogendra Island