1283) 75th Anniversary of First Flag Hoisting Day: A Quaternary Silver Commemorative Coin of Rs.75/- (Rs. Seventy Five) issued by the India Government Mint, Mumbai: Date of Coin issue: 30.12.2018, received from the Mint on 20.03.2020:
For my comprehensive posts on Indian Postage stamps and coins issued commemorating this milestone and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army (INA), please visit the following links:
1) Honouring Mahatma Gandhi and remembering the martyrs of Cellular Jail, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (Shubhash Chondro Bosh, in Bengali): Honouring a Prominent Revolutionary Leader during India's Freedom Struggle (23.01.1897 to 18.08.1945 - alleged date of his passing away)
3) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Jharkhand: DEOPEX 2016: A Special Cover issued by Jharkhand Postal Circle , India Post on 18.03.2016
4) 75 Years of the First Flag Hoisting at the Andaman & Nicobar Islands by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Freedom Fighter on 30.12.1943: A set of three stamps of the values of 1,200 Paise (or Rs.12/-), 2,200 Paise (or Rs.22/-) and 4,100 Paise (or Rs.41/-) issued by India Post on 30.12.2018
5) 75th Anniversary of the First Flag Hoisting Day: A Quaternary Silver Commemorative Coin of Rs.75/- (Rs.Seventy Five) issued by the India Government Mint, Mumbai: Date of Coin issue: 30.12.2018, received from the Mint on 20.03.2020:
1) Honouring Mahatma Gandhi and remembering the martyrs of Cellular Jail, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (Shubhash Chondro Bosh, in Bengali): Honouring a Prominent Revolutionary Leader during India's Freedom Struggle (23.01.1897 to 18.08.1945 - alleged date of his passing away)
3) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Jharkhand: DEOPEX 2016: A Special Cover issued by Jharkhand Postal Circle , India Post on 18.03.2016
4) 75 Years of the First Flag Hoisting at the Andaman & Nicobar Islands by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Freedom Fighter on 30.12.1943: A set of three stamps of the values of 1,200 Paise (or Rs.12/-), 2,200 Paise (or Rs.22/-) and 4,100 Paise (or Rs.41/-) issued by India Post on 30.12.2018
5) 75th Anniversary of the First Flag Hoisting Day: A Quaternary Silver Commemorative Coin of Rs.75/- (Rs.Seventy Five) issued by the India Government Mint, Mumbai: Date of Coin issue: 30.12.2018, received from the Mint on 20.03.2020:
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands under the rule of the Indian National Army of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose:
On 16.10.1858, Denmark formally ended its claim on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, when it sold the rights to Nicobar Islands to Britain.
In 1858, the British India administration established a colony at Port Blair for setting up a penal colony for Indian Freedom Fighters, which later became a high security prison built entirely by Indian prisoners from 1896 to 1906.
In 1872, both Andaman & Nicobar were administered under a single chief commissioner stationed at Port Blair.
During World War II, Andaman & Nicobar Islands fell under Japanese control and was nominally placed under the authority of "Arzi Hukumate Azad Hind" of Subhash Chandra Bose, who visited the Islands and renamed them "Shaheed Dweep" (meaning "Martyr's Island").
General Loganathan of the Indian National Army (INA) was appointed Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
On 22.02.1944, General Loganathan, along with four INA officers - Major Mansoor Ali Alvi, Sub. Lt. Md. Iqbal, Lt. Suba Singh and stenographer Srinivasan arrived at Port Blair.
On 02.10.1944, the Headquarters of the Civil Administration was established near the Gurudwara at Aberdeen Bazaar.
On 07.10.1945, the Islands were surrendered by the Japanese forces to the British Raj, but not for long, as India gained its Independence on 15.08.1947.
Present Day:
In 1950, the Islands became a part of India and were declared a Union Territory (UT) in 1956.
Since the 1980s, India has established defence facilities on the Islands, which have a strategic role in the Bay of Bengal and the Malacca Strait. The Islands have the Andaman & Nicobar Command, the only tri-service geographical command of the Indian Armed Forces.
Renaming of important places and commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the First Flag Hoisting by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at the Andaman & Nicobar Islands:
On 30.12.2018, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed three Islands as a tribute to the Indian National army (INA) of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose - Ross Island has been renamed as "Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep", the Neil Island as "Shaheed Dweep" and the Havelock Island as "Swaraj Dweep".
The Commemorative Coin:
I have received a Rs.75/- Commemorative Quaternary Alloy Collector Coin (50% Silver, 40% Copper, 5% Nickel, 5% Zinc) from the India Government Mint, Mumbai on the 75th Anniversary of the First Flag Hoisting Day, at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
On 16.10.1858, Denmark formally ended its claim on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, when it sold the rights to Nicobar Islands to Britain.
In 1858, the British India administration established a colony at Port Blair for setting up a penal colony for Indian Freedom Fighters, which later became a high security prison built entirely by Indian prisoners from 1896 to 1906.
In 1872, both Andaman & Nicobar were administered under a single chief commissioner stationed at Port Blair.
During World War II, Andaman & Nicobar Islands fell under Japanese control and was nominally placed under the authority of "Arzi Hukumate Azad Hind" of Subhash Chandra Bose, who visited the Islands and renamed them "Shaheed Dweep" (meaning "Martyr's Island").
General Loganathan of the Indian National Army (INA) was appointed Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
On 22.02.1944, General Loganathan, along with four INA officers - Major Mansoor Ali Alvi, Sub. Lt. Md. Iqbal, Lt. Suba Singh and stenographer Srinivasan arrived at Port Blair.
On 02.10.1944, the Headquarters of the Civil Administration was established near the Gurudwara at Aberdeen Bazaar.
On 07.10.1945, the Islands were surrendered by the Japanese forces to the British Raj, but not for long, as India gained its Independence on 15.08.1947.
Present Day:
In 1950, the Islands became a part of India and were declared a Union Territory (UT) in 1956.
Since the 1980s, India has established defence facilities on the Islands, which have a strategic role in the Bay of Bengal and the Malacca Strait. The Islands have the Andaman & Nicobar Command, the only tri-service geographical command of the Indian Armed Forces.
Renaming of important places and commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the First Flag Hoisting by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at the Andaman & Nicobar Islands:
On 30.12.2018, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed three Islands as a tribute to the Indian National army (INA) of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose - Ross Island has been renamed as "Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep", the Neil Island as "Shaheed Dweep" and the Havelock Island as "Swaraj Dweep".
The Commemorative Coin:
I have received a Rs.75/- Commemorative Quaternary Alloy Collector Coin (50% Silver, 40% Copper, 5% Nickel, 5% Zinc) from the India Government Mint, Mumbai on the 75th Anniversary of the First Flag Hoisting Day, at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Cover of the Coin Album shows a profile of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, with the Cellular Jail in the background. One can see the Indian Tri-colour (Flag) flying atop the Central Watch Tower of the seven rows of the Cellular Jail.
The Coin Album is titled "Pratham Dhwajarohan Divas Ki 75Vin Jayanti" (in Hindi) and "75th ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST FLAG HOISTING DAY" (in English).
On the lower section is mentioned - "Smarak Sikka" (in Hindi) and "COMMEMORATIVE COIN" (in English).
At the right hand lower corner is mentioned - "PROOF 1 COIN". Proof Coins issued by the Mumbai Mint bear the "M" Mint Mark as against the usual Diamond Mint Mark for Uncirculated and Circulation Coin issues.
On the lower section is mentioned - "Smarak Sikka" (in Hindi) and "COMMEMORATIVE COIN" (in English).
At the right hand lower corner is mentioned - "PROOF 1 COIN". Proof Coins issued by the Mumbai Mint bear the "M" Mint Mark as against the usual Diamond Mint Mark for Uncirculated and Circulation Coin issues.
Page two gives a brief description of the "First Flag Hoisting Day":
" It is a blessing to be born in a free country. The present generation would never know the great trauma inflicted by the foreign rulers against which our undaunted countrymen made a myriad sacrifices. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are special as they have been witness to this great struggle and also to that Red Letter Day, when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose with members of his Azad Hind Government unfurled the tri-colour for the first time on the soil of India.
With the denomination of Rs.75 and the themes of cellular jail along with the first tricolour hoisting by Netaji, the commemorative coin epitomises the quintessential spirit of that golden moment in the history when Netaji declared the islands as the first Indian territory to be freed from the British Raj.
The commemorative coin with cellular jail in the background reminds us of the great travails and unimaginable atrocities our freedom fighters underwent, carrying the love of the motherland in their hearts. The foreground with Netaji's salute to the treicolour symbolises the dawning of hope for millions of Indians and an end to those countless miseries our people embraced bravely.
This year (in 2018), we are commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the first flag hoisting on 30th December, 2018 and it is a proud privilege to present this commemorative coin to the Nation !!"
The commemorative coin with cellular jail in the background reminds us of the great travails and unimaginable atrocities our freedom fighters underwent, carrying the love of the motherland in their hearts. The foreground with Netaji's salute to the treicolour symbolises the dawning of hope for millions of Indians and an end to those countless miseries our people embraced bravely.
This year (in 2018), we are commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the first flag hoisting on 30th December, 2018 and it is a proud privilege to present this commemorative coin to the Nation !!"
Page 3 of the Coin Album shows the Obverse of the Rs.75/- Quaternary Silver Commemorative Coin.
At left is an image of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose reviewing the preparedness of the Azad Hind Fauj troops, who have captured the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
At right is a postage stamp of 20 Paise commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Azad Hind Government (1943-1968).
The Obverse of the Rs.75/- coin shows the Emblem of the Government of India in the centre, derived from the Lion Capitol of the legendary Samrat (Emperor) Ashok of Ancient India. The words "Satyamev Jayate" (meaning "Truth will Always Prevail") are inscribed below the Lion Capitol emblem.
On the left periphery is the country name "BHARAT" (in Hindi) and on the right periphery is the country name "INDIA" (in English).
The denomination of the coin "Rupee symbol 75" is mentioned at the lower periphery.
Page four of the Coin Album shows the Reverse of the Rs. 75/- Quaternary Silver Commemorative Coin. Seen on this page are two images of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose revewing the Cellular Jail.
On the Reverse of the Rs.75/- Commemorative Coin Netaji is seen saluting the Indian Tricolour (Flag).
The peripheral inscriptions are - "PRATHAM DHWAJAROHAN DIWAS" (in Hindi) and "FIRST FLAG HOISTING DAY" ( in English).
Below Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's image is seen the period of Anniversary celebrations - 30.12.1943-30.12.2018" - in stylised numerals "75th".
Page five is titled "75TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOISTING OF TRI-COLOUR FOR THE FIRST TIME BY NETAJI SHBHASH CHANDRA BOSE AT PORT BLAIR".
The specifications of this Commemorative Coin are also mentioned on this page:
Denomination: Rs.75/-; Metal Composition: Quaternary Silver - Silver 50%, Copper 40%, Nickel 5%, Zinc 5%; Shape: Circular; Outside Diameter/Size: 44.0 mm; Weight: 35.0 grams; No. of Serrations: 200.
Some excerpts from my previous posts on this blog:
The martyrs of the Indian Independence Movement, who were jailed in the Cellular Jail of Andaman and Nicobar Islands were kept in a high security prison constructed over a ten year period (1896-1906), entirely by the prisoners. The jail had seven wings with a central watch tower. In all there were 698 cells in these seven wings, in which prisoners were kept in solitary confinement, in cells measuring 4.5 x 2.7 metres. Two wings of this jail were destroyed in World War II in 1942, and another two were destroyed shortly after India's Independence. Of the remaining three wings, two have been converted into a hospital (a sumbolic healing touch, for the atrocities heaped upon the prisoners here under British rule), while one is preserved as a Memorial
The Reverse of a Commemorative Circulation Coin issued by the Mumbai Mint (diamond Mint Mark below the year of issue - 1997)
I visited the Andaman Islands in 1995. I am placing here, a photo taken at the same spot, which is depicted on the Reverse of the Coin for a clearer visualisation of the image of the coin. (Of course, I do not figure on the coin's image, so don't look for me on the coin !!
The wing on the left hand side (behind my back in the photo) is the hospital section, while the wing on the right hand side (i.e. in front of me) is now the Memorial.
The entrance to the Cellular Jail
I cannot forget the small concrete cell where Swatantrataveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was imprisonedin the Cellular Jail, which I saw during my trip to the Andamans in 1995. I sat inside for a few minutes remembering the sacrifces of all our martyrs.
A few years ago, during a Heritage walk organised by Virasat, I visited the Veer Savarkar Smarak. This was the first time that I found out that Savarkar was the first Freedom Fighter to have initiated the act of burning "English goods" in Pune & Bal Gangadhar Tilak & other freedom fighters were witnessing and participating as per the mural. For this act the fergusson College Principal (where Savarkar was studying in Pune) fined Savarkar Rs.10/- & there were lot of protests from Savarkar and other stalwarts who deplored the deteriorating quality of FC College teachers.
A memorial to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is inscribed in the Fergusson College Boy's Hostel, outside the room where he resided while studying in the College from 1902-1905.
A portrait of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar placed in the Memorial. Shown here is Veer Savarkar's act of forsaking/burning of British made clothes on 07.10.1905 and taking a vow to use Indian-made goods/clothes henceforth.
A bust of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar placed in the Fergusson College Memorial.
Some excerpts from my previous posts on this blog:
The martyrs of the Indian Independence Movement, who were jailed in the Cellular Jail of Andaman and Nicobar Islands were kept in a high security prison constructed over a ten year period (1896-1906), entirely by the prisoners. The jail had seven wings with a central watch tower. In all there were 698 cells in these seven wings, in which prisoners were kept in solitary confinement, in cells measuring 4.5 x 2.7 metres. Two wings of this jail were destroyed in World War II in 1942, and another two were destroyed shortly after India's Independence. Of the remaining three wings, two have been converted into a hospital (a sumbolic healing touch, for the atrocities heaped upon the prisoners here under British rule), while one is preserved as a Memorial
I visited the Andaman Islands in 1995. I am placing here, a photo taken at the same spot, which is depicted on the Reverse of the Coin for a clearer visualisation of the image of the coin. (Of course, I do not figure on the coin's image, so don't look for me on the coin !!
I cannot forget the small concrete cell where Swatantrataveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was imprisonedin the Cellular Jail, which I saw during my trip to the Andamans in 1995. I sat inside for a few minutes remembering the sacrifces of all our martyrs.
A few years ago, during a Heritage walk organised by Virasat, I visited the Veer Savarkar Smarak. This was the first time that I found out that Savarkar was the first Freedom Fighter to have initiated the act of burning "English goods" in Pune & Bal Gangadhar Tilak & other freedom fighters were witnessing and participating as per the mural. For this act the fergusson College Principal (where Savarkar was studying in Pune) fined Savarkar Rs.10/- & there were lot of protests from Savarkar and other stalwarts who deplored the deteriorating quality of FC College teachers.
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