Shri Arjun Munda reached Port Blair on Thursday 27^th April for 4 day visit to Andaman & Nicobar Islands, where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the tricolour for the first time in 1943 & declared it free from British rule.

Minister paid a visit to the Zonal Anthropological Museum at Port Blair which focuses on the indigenous tribes of the island. Six native tribes inhabit the Islands, 4 of Negroid origin , i.e. Onges, Sentinelese, Jarawas, and Andamanese, and 2 of Mongoloid origin, i.e. Shompens and Nicobarese. Onges, Sentinelese, Jarawas, Andamanese and Shompens belong to the PVTG group.

Shri Arjun Munda, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs chaired a review meeting with senior officials from Port Blair UT Administration  to review the steps needed to take precautionary measures for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) at Andaman & Nicobar Islands & various developmental works initiated with the Centre's assistance.

The discussion proved to be  fruitful for all, allowing the exchange of experiences, suggestions, and ideas toward the goal of inclusive growth & overall welfare for the PVTG Community.

Shri Arjun Munda, visited the cell of Veer Savarkar at National Memorial Cellular Jail, Port Blair & paid homage.

Hon'ble Minister also attended the Light & Sound show at the Cellular Jail. Freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar & Sachin Sanyal,  inspired many youths to serve for the country. Our freedom fighters were tortured at cellular jail but their spirits remained undaunted. It is the land of supreme sacrifices & the most sacred place of the Indian Sub-Continent.

As part of the 4 day visit to Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri Arjun Munda has visited Dugong Creek in Little Andaman Island to meet ‘Onge’ PVTG community. On this occasion, he inaugurated the computer lab in the primary school and also interacted with the children of 'Onge' tribe.

On Saturday 29^th April, Union Tribal Minister will visit the National Biosphere Reserve at Campbell Bay and interact with representatives of Nicobari tribes at the Air Force Station in Car Nicobar.

Further, Shri Arjun Munda will visit Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island and witness the Light and Sound Show at NSC Bose Island.

Keeping in mind the historical significance of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and to honour the memory of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Ross Islands was renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep by the Prime Minister during his visit to the Island in 2018. Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep.

On the last day of his four-day Andaman visit, Shri Arjun Munda will call on the Hon'ble Lt. Governor at Raj Niwas and participate in the 100th edition of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' program at Raj Niwas.

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NB/SK/UD