(Before I start the post, I must point out that since last week, I have not been able to apply colour to letters and words in the post. The selected words remain black.
Also, when I give a hyperlink, it doesn't get applied to the selected words, but the link appears after the selected words.
I wonder if any other users of Blogger are facing this problem. I have given feedback to Google.)
This post continues from Andaman trip 01 - A reunion
April 9, Tuesday
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands — which lie about 1,190 km (740 mi) east of Chennai and 1,255 km (780 mi) south of Kolkata in mainland India — are accessible by flights and ships.
There are direct flights from Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi. Passenger ship services are available from Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata to Port Blair and back.
We all flew into Port Blair, the capital, from various parts of the country. There were around 30 of us on the Indigo flight from Bengaluru, including those who had flown in Kochi.
The flight took about 2 hours and 30 minutes, and we landed at Port Blair (renamed Veer Savarkar International Airport) at 1400. It's a defence airport, and the Indian Navy handles most of its operations.
The Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, which opened in May 2008, and the one in Kochi, Cochin International Airport, which opened in June 1999, were defence airports.
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| A view of the Andaman Sea on our way from the airport to the hotel |
Flag Point, also called Tiranga in Hindi (meaning tricolour), is a memorial to commemorate the hoisting of the national flag in Port Blair for the first time in India on December 30, 1943, almost four years before India gained independence on August 15, 1947.
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| The Flag Point |
Here's a little background to it.
The islands were used by the British as a penal colony where prisoners from India and Africa were sent.
The place was defended by 300 Sikh soldiers, with 23 British officers and some Gurkhas from the 4/12th Frontier Force Regiment.
After Rangoon fell on March 8, 1942, the British knew they couldn't protect Port Blair anymore and started pulling out their defences. Soon, the Japanese overran the weak defence on the island on March 23, 1942.
INDIAN NATIONAL ARMY
On November 6, 1943, the Japanese Prime Minister announced in the Tokyo Assembly that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands would be handed over Provisional Government of the Indian National Army (INA) or the Azad Hind Fauj.
The INA was an armed unit that fought against the British on the side of the Japanese. Subhash Chandra Bose served as its Commander-in-Chief from 1943 to 1945.
On December 29, 1943, INA took political control of the island. The next day, Bose unfurled the Indian national flag in Port Blair at a place near where the memorial called Flag Point.
Though Bose appointed General A.D. Loganathan as governor of the islands, Japan is believed to have had full control of the island for all practical purposes.
(More: Japanese occupation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands / Wikipedia)
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| The Flag Point |
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| View from the Flag Point |
TOURIST SPOT
This memorial is a very popular place frequented by tourists and locals alike. It's a very pleasant place to spend time, especially in the morning and evening.
There is a tall flag mast on which the tricolour flutters and commemorative plaques. There is also a walkway and platforms where visitors can relax, enjoy the view of the sea and take photos. There are also many food joints.
(To be continued)
Thanks for reminding us the history. This is a very important place to visit in Andaman.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting history there. Also, I've been having similar problems in Blogger. There's definitely something wrong there.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you enjoyed that stop on your trip. Yes, I'm having the same issues in Blogger. It's like they changed the linking thing so you can type in the words you want to highlight instead of highlighting the words you want linked. Without telling anyone.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting to learn that (some?) independence fighters collaborated with the Japanese during WWII.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDelete... and I have the issue that happens sometimes, when your post only appears on my reader a day later. One or two other blogs this happens too, so I've learned to check back further on the list. I haven't done any posting this week, as all scheduled... but will be on the alert now. Though your hyperlinks have appeared okay on the live post. YAM xx
Hi Yamini - Thank you.
DeleteAn interesting little snippet of history I'd never heard about Pradeep. So much in our world that I'm ignorant of! And BTW my Blogger links etc are still working fine. It seems to have different little glitches that affect different countries. Some people were having trouble with picture sizing the other day. There's a really good FB group for Blogspot bloggers that you can join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BloggersOnBlogger
ReplyDeleteHi Leanne - There is plenty for all of us to learn from history. Hopefully, Blogger will set right the issues.
DeleteI thought I posted a comment to this. Sigh. It must have gone poof.
ReplyDeleteI too am having similar issues with Blogger. It sounds like you had a good trip.
Yes, it had gone into the spam folder!
DeleteI really appreciate the lovely photos and fascinating history. It's a shame that humans aren't kinder to one another, though. Be well, and thanks for all the kind words on my humble blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Darla - Thank you.
DeleteI'd love to salute the flag installed initially by Bose Jr.
ReplyDeleteHi Rajesh - It's of great historical significance.
DeleteHi Pradeep - the links etc appear fine. Blogger has many variations - must be challenging to keep everything in check, let alone those of us with little techie ability to hold it together. I have decided not to change much - makes it easier for me!
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting place to see - and for us to learn from your visit ... I'm glad you've visited and taken us with you - cheers Hilary