The Modi government has been working on ‘One Nation, One Election’ for a long time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed this issue on several occasions during his previous term. Recently, on the completion of 100 days of the NDA government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the commitment to this resolution. Shah made it clear that the government is fully committed to this issue and is preparing to bring it to Parliament.

Prime Minister Modi also mentioned ‘One Nation, One Election’ in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort on August 15. He stated that frequent elections are hindering the country’s progress. Due to the repeated electoral processes, there are delays in administrative work and development projects, which could be mitigated by conducting elections simultaneously.

For ‘One Nation, One Election,’ the committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on March 14 of this year. The report is quite extensive, comprising a total of 18,626 pages. This report delves deeply into the possibilities, challenges, and benefits of conducting simultaneous elections across the country.

‘One Nation, One Election’ means conducting Lok Sabha and all state Assembly elections simultaneously across the country. Currently, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are held at different times, leading to frequent electoral processes which consume time and resources. The aim of this proposal is to conduct all elections together, thereby saving the country’s resources and time and avoiding interruptions in development work.

Now that the Modi Cabinet has approved the proposal, the NDA government will present it as a bill in the winter session of Parliament. It will be interesting to see the discussions on this in Parliament and how quickly it can be turned into law.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a deep and historic connection with India’s freedom struggle. Renaming this island is not just an administrative decision but a tribute to the heroes of our independence movement. It is the same place where, on December 30, 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose first hoisted the Indian tricolor, calling it the first symbolic act of ‘Independent India’ under the Azad Hind Government. Moreover, Andaman’s infamous Cellular Jail, also known as ‘Kala Pani’, bears witness to many Indian freedom fighters who fought fearlessly against British rule during their imprisonment here. Veer Savarkar and many other freedom fighters were incarcerated in this jail, sacrificing their lives for India’s independence.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also emphasized the cultural and historical importance of Andaman and Nicobar. He mentioned that this island had played a crucial role as a naval base since the time of the Chola Empire. Even today, this region holds immense strategic importance for India’s national security. The island is pivotal for maritime security and trade routes. In his post, Shah further stated that this renaming is an important effort to revive India’s cultural heritage and glorious history. The name ‘Shri Vijaypuram’ not only reflects the rich historical background of the island but also underscores its growing role in India’s future security and development.

Renaming Port Blair to ‘Shri Vijaypuram’ is not just a symbolic step. It is a tribute to all the freedom fighters and heroes who fought for the country’s independence on this island. This move is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to ‘free India from a colonial mindset’ and revive India’s cultural identity. .