Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan will undertake an official two-day visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on August 8 and 9, the Vice President’s Secretariat said on Friday. The programme centres on commemorations of India’s freedom movement and participation in the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyaan.
Itinerary highlights
According to the Secretariat, the Vice President will begin his schedule on August 8 with an inspection of the Cellular Jail National Memorial at Sri Vijay Puram. Activities at the memorial will include laying tributes at the Martyrs’ Column, paying respects at the Swatantrata Jyoti and visiting the cell associated with Veer Savarkar, a site long linked with the islands’ role in the independence struggle.
Later on the same day, the Vice President is expected to attend the memorial’s evening Light and Sound Show, which portrays episodes from India’s anti-colonial movement and the sacrifices of political prisoners held at the jail.
On August 9, the Vice President will participate in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign by hoisting the national flag at Flag Point in Sri Vijay Puram. He will then join a state ceremony titled "Tiranga Concert on Vande Mataram" at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT) Auditorium.
The visit will also include a scheduled stop at the island formally known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, underscoring the symbolic connection between the archipelago and India’s freedom history, the Secretariat said.
Planned events (quick reference)
- August 8: Tour of Cellular Jail National Memorial; tributes at Martyrs’ Column; visit to Swatantrata Jyoti and Veer Savarkar’s cell; attendance at Light and Sound Show.
- August 9: Hoisting of the national flag at Flag Point as part of Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyaan; participation in "Tiranga Concert on Vande Mataram" at DBRAIT Auditorium; visit to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island.
Significance for the islands
The Vice President’s engagement with sites such as the Cellular Jail and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island highlights the islands’ historical role as places of detention and political exile during colonial rule. Officials said the visit is intended to reinforce the islands’ place in national memory during the anniversary period and to lend prominence to the Government’s Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, which encourages flag hoisting at homes and public venues.
Administratively, visits by high office-holders typically entail coordination across multiple departments, including the local administration, police and cultural bodies, to manage public functions and security arrangements. The Secretariat’s announcement did not give details on security protocols or public access to specific events.
Public access and local arrangements
The Vice President’s schedule includes public-facing ceremonies that usually attract local officials, veterans’ groups and residents. Organisers of such events generally advise attendees to follow instructions from local authorities regarding timings and entry points. The Secretariat’s release did not list contact details for event logistics.
| Venue | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular Jail National Memorial, Sri Vijay Puram | Tributes; Light and Sound Show | 8 August |
| Flag Point, Sri Vijay Puram | Flag hoisting (Har Ghar Tiranga) | 9 August |
| DBRAIT Auditorium | Tiranga Concert on Vande Mataram | 9 August |
| Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island | Official visit | 9 August |
Context and background
The Cellular Jail, often referred to as Kala Pani, is a national memorial maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and attracts visitors and school groups for its historical displays and the evening sound-and-light presentation. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, the archipelago site that was renamed to commemorate the nationalist leader, is also a frequent stop for official commemorations tied to independence-era narratives.
The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign has been a central element of government-led observances in recent years, aiming to increase public display of the national flag ahead of Independence Day. The Vice President’s participation in the flag-hoisting event aligns with the campaign’s emphasis on civic participation.
The Vice President’s Secretariat provided the itinerary in its formal release; no further comment was included regarding meetings with local elected representatives or other engagements beyond the cultural and commemorative events listed.
Residents and organisations planning to attend public components of the programme are advised to monitor local administration announcements for final timings and access arrangements.
