A.P. Marine Police hoisting national flag on the eve of Republic Day, at an isolated island off Visakhapatnam coast on Saturday.
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to hoist the national flag on all islands off the country’s coast, the Andhra Pradesh Marine Police at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority premises here on Saturday, came forward to hoist the national flag on a secluded continental island named ‘Pigeon Island’ off the city coast, as part of the Republic Day celebrations.
They took the help of eight fishermen to reach the hill, which is about 15 km from Visakhapatnam Port and a few kilometres away from Gangavaram Port. The island is located off the coast of Gangavaram village in Visakhapatnam district. It lies in a small bay, five miles northeast of Kutu Konda village.
Speaking to The Hindu, Marine Circle Inspector G. Diwakar Yadav said that they hoisted the flag on a small hill of the island called ‘Pigeon Island’ in the middle of the Bay of Bengal off the Visakhapatnam coast on Saturday.
“We think this is the first time in the history of the city that the flag is being hoisted on this island. The Visakhapatnam Collector provided us with one boat and the other two boats are private boats. This achievement has been possible for us today with the support of our superiors. We are proud to see our national flag on a secluded island, far from the city,” said Mr. Diwakar Yadav.
Meanwhile, Visakhapatnam Fishermen Youth Welfare Association executive secretary Arjili Dasu said that they come across several such small islands off the city coast. There is a tiny island called Pittakonda near Gangavaram port. It was once home to bats. Fishing is also abundant around the island. It has been a sign for fishermen fishing in the deep sea. This hill can also been seen in many old movies as it was once a location for film shooting.
Published – January 25, 2025 11:23 pm IST
