Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, a highly decorated recipient of the Param Vir Chakra for his acts of remarkable bravery during the 1999 Kargil War, recently received a distinguished honor by visiting Sanjay Dweep, an island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands named in his recognition.
This special visit was organized by the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) and represented a significant moment for the Indian Armed Forces, as it underscored the Government of India’s initiative to recognize and commemorates the nation’s most courageous soldiers.
Sanjay Dweep, which was previously unnamed, was officially renamed in 2022 as part of a governmental campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honor 21 heroes who received the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military award for extraordinary valor.
The renaming initiative was announced on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, also recognized as Parakram Diwas, emphasizing the government’s dedication to preserving the legacies of military heroes, particularly those from Kumar’s home state of Uttar Pradesh.
During the proceedings, Kumar was joined by personnel from the ANC, which is the only tri-service command in India that integrates the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Based in Port Blair, the ANC plays a critical role in safeguarding India’s strategic interests in the regions of Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca, a crucial maritime chokepoint for global trade.
Throughout his visit, military personnel paid homage to Kumar by standing in unity in front of a signboard marking the island, which prominently features the Indian tricolor alongside Kumar’s name in both Hindi and English.
Photographs from the event captured Kumar, dressed in full military regalia, standing proudly before the signboard, flanked by ANC members who were offering salutes. Another image featured service members from the three branches of the Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—standing in formation, collectively paying respect to Kumar and his heroic legacy.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory consisting of 572 islands, are strategically positioned in the Bay of Bengal near key Asian countries like Myanmar and Indonesia. This archipelago plays a vital role in India’s national security, addressing challenges such as narcotics trafficking, piracy, and foreign vessel intrusions.
The importance of the ANC in overseeing critical maritime channels, including the Six Degree Channel and the Ten Degree Channel, underscores its strategic relevance to India’s defense framework.
Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar’s visit serves not only as a celebration of his heroic contributions during the Kargil conflict but also reinforces the ANC’s commitment to honoring military valor while ensuring regional stability. The event has gained significant traction on social media, with the ANC expressing pride in hosting Kumar, showcasing the unity and dedication of India’s armed forces in upholding national integrity and security.
