Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was one of the fervent freedom fighters of India. But, he was not just a freedom fighter. He was a bold warrior, good orator, prolific writer, a poet, a historian, a philosopher, a social worker, a cautious leader, a bard and a staunch supporter of freedom and much more.
Apparently the name of the airport where you landed is Veer Savarkar International Airport.
Savarkar was arrested in 1909 on charges of plotting an armed revolt against the Morle-Minto reform. He also tried to escape by diving in the water but was arrested. He was sentenced to two life sentences i.e. 50 years in the cellular jail of Andamans, also known as Kala Pani, in 1911.
It was in the year 1964, when Savarkar declared his wish to attain Samadhi and started hunger-strike on February 1, 1966, and passed away on February 26, 1966. He believed that his purpose of life is solved as India has gained Independence.
Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, stands as a dark reminiscence of the British rule in the Indian subcontinent. This most dreaded and gruelling colonial prison situated in the remote archipelago was used by the British particularly to exile Indian political prisoners. Isolated from the mainland, this jail, also referred to as Kala Pani (where Kala means death or time and Pani means water in Sanskrit) witnessed the most atrocious punishments imposed on prisoners. India’s struggle for independence saw imminent freedom fighters like Batukeshwar Dutt and Veer Savarkar being incarcerated in this jail. The jail is now open to public viewing as a National Memorial, and its museum gives one a glimpse of years of India’s struggle for freedom.
Now let us continue our journey now that we know the dark part!
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprises of 572 islands lies at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Out of these 572 islands, only about 38 are inhabited.
Pack yourself with water and some sweets because it gets really hot and humid over there.
Always take sunscreen with yourself and never forget to ask if you are lost. It is easy to get lost from the crew and you may end up joining some other crew.
There is something to look and care about at every stop and it is amazing to look at that beauty.
Do not take all these as a piece of advice but as a warning.
Always bargain and never agree on the price of the offer.
The water is so clear there is no reason anyone will not go for scuba diving. Price is somewhere around 3000 to 3200 INR. The experience is mesmerising as it is not every day that we spend so much time inside water.
Some beaches can be crowded and some not. What matters is your company and your etiquettes. Do not litter at the beaches, please!
I had my family and the whole journey was beautiful.
There were so many foreign and Indian couples with whom we interacted and helped them and received insights from them.
The best advice we gave was to a family from all the way Leipzig and we told them to bargain and helped them to save money at scuba diving and jet ski rides.
They accompanied us and we learnt a lot about their culture.
Andaman is quite safe to travel. The island is quite a peaceful place with not many instances of problems of safety. Of late, the news of the death Christian missionary in North Sentinel Island has been going around. Be aware that a few aboriginal tribes have their home in the remote islands of Andaman & Nicobar and they have kept themselves distant from the civilization. They do not take intrusion in their land and life lightly. So as travellers, we would request you not to visit the tribal areas without a guide. Also, most of the tribal areas are strictly forbidden for both Indians and foreigners.
Secondly, do keep in mind about the safety measures at the sea. Do not go out to swim all alone even if you are a great swimmer. Also please adhere to your instructor or trainer while scuba diving and snorkelling. Stay safe and have a great trip.
Places to visit:
- North Bay Island
- Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Dweep)
- Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
- Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
- Baratang Island
- Diglipur and North Andaman
I will come back to these oceans again and meet people and let them know the beauty of it!