The Flag Point (Tiranga Park) at Port Blair, Andaman Islands

Another feather decorating the proud head of Andamans and its people: Andaman Islands hold a great history about the freedom fighters and the era of pre-independent India. Several historical events took place here that is still remembered and treasured until today. One such event and the place where it took place and how important it is today is what we are going to discuss below.

This flag point is of great historical significance as this is the exact spot where Netaji Subash Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag for the first time in Indian soil on the 30th December 1943. Today, at an altitude of 150 feet in the South point area in Port Blair stands a flag pole that is visible from the Rajiv Gandhi Water sports complex where in you can spot a statue of Netaji. This flag pole stands proud and tall and the Indian flag continues to flutter gracefully.

The honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unfurled the Indian flag on the flag point on its inaugural day, the 30th day of December 2018 to mark the 75th anniversary of Azad Hind Government and the first flag hoisting in Indian soil.

How to reach flag point?

 

The Flag Point isn’t very far from the city center; it is at a 10-15 minute walk-able distance from the tourist hotspot- Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex. We recommend you to take a walk to the Flag point from the water sports complex. We suggest this walk even though we can provide a cab to make you reach near the Flag Point. We suggest you to get dropped at the Marina Park’s entrance and take a nature walk from within the park to reach its exit gate towards the backside of the park, from here on take the red-stoned curvy footpath and walk towards the flag point which will be visible already. The walk from this place to the Flag point is interesting as you get to have a healthy walk in the most traffic less and hence least polluted roads of Andamans. The vast open sea on one side, and the markable government administrational and educational buildings on the other side will make this journey rather beautiful and worth investing some time on.

Key highlights of the area around flag point
 

The ambience that surrounds the flag point is extremely beautiful; the open seascape on one side and the neat roads with trees on the other is a wonderful place to be around. The flag point is surrounded by a small amphitheater kind of structure with petite stairs like seating with lights. You can have an amazing view of Ross and North Bay Islands from this point. The flag point has brilliant stone structures that are dedicated in memory of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, the freedom fighters and all the other martyrs who valiantly fought and laid down their lives for the freedom of our country. You can walk around this flag point and see all the stone-carved memorials here and learn about the events that occurred in the past.
 

This place is usually preferred by joggers to get some fresh air while carrying out their activities or for relaxation. You will find a sitting space where the seats are set up amazingly, the seats are arranged in a sea-facing manner where you can sit and admire the beautiful view of the open seascape. There is a road on one side of this area that is hardly used by vehicles which keeps away the traffic. You can take a stroll along the pathways and read about the importance of the place and the freedom fighters. The Azad Hind wall art is something that catches your eye as you walk past it. You can see a sign of the year ‘1943’ that is set up near the flag pole by the stone carvings where you can capture photographs and find the important details of this particular year.

30th December 1943. This day is close to the hearts of the freedom lovers as it was the day Netaji Subash Chandra Bose declared that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the first territory of India that was free from the British Regime. After the British left Andamans, the flag hoisting ceremony took place pointing out the freedom of the islands. Since it was the first time the flag was hoisted in Indian soil this day is a memorable one and a day of pride among the Indians.

After the British exited Andamans, the islands came under Subash Chandra Bose’s control and the prisoners in the cellular jail and the people of Andamans were free from the British Regime. However, the British reoccupied the islands in October 1945 and resumed their rule until the nation’s independence in 1947.
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This is an ideal place to recall the hardships that the freedom fighters had to go through for the freedom that we have today and feel the spirit of patriotism. Do visit this area, as you will feel proud and happy to see the place where the Indian flag was raised for the first time with great pride.