Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep islands on 2 and 3 January 2024, social media has been abuzz with extensive discussions, intense debates, and conversations.
In the context of Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu State BJP President Annamalai, during the “En Mann En Makkal” padayatra on 8 January 2024 in Cuddalore recounted the historicity of two brothers from the district quoting from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat programme on 27 October 2019.
In the two-minute video clip, Annamalai said, “Tamil Nadu government has failed to speak about two significant leaders from Cuddalore. Prime Minister has previously spoken about them, he introduced the two leaders in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, they are Cuddalore’s Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar and Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar. PM has already spoken about these two brothers in October 2019 in Mann Ki Baat. We desire to let every child from Cuddalore know about them, India got its independence in 1947; Pakistan had an eye on Lakshadweep island. They sent a ship to Lakshadweep to hoist a flag and claim ownership of the island. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel learned about this and directed two brothers from Cuddalore to talk with Travancore Samasthanam in Kerala and go to Lakshadweep with troops to hoist the flag before Pakistan can enter. Today we have an MP from Lakshadweep and if today Lakshadweep is a part of India, the credit goes only to sons of Cuddalore soil Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar and Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar!! Have we read anything about them in the textbooks in Tamil Nadu?”
Lakshwadeep has been a subject of discussion after our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl’s recent visit to the island.
During our #EnMannEnMakkal PadaYatra in Cuddalore recently, I had an opportunity to revisit the mention of how Lakshwadeep was integrated with our country & the… pic.twitter.com/JlLaN2VJ1t
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) January 8, 2024
Mann Ki Baat – Prime Minister’s Radio Programme on 27 October 2019
On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his message to the nation through #MannKiBaat on 27 October 2019, which was broadcasted on All India Radio. During his concise address, the Prime Minister shared insights on leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar, and Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar, along with narrating the story behind the annexation of the Lakshadweep islands.
This excerpt is from the Prime Minister’s address where he states, “Friends, all of us know that as India’s first home minister, Sardar Patel undertook the colossal, historic task of integrating Princely states. Scrutinising the minutest of events closely was his rare quality. On the one hand, he concentrated on Hyderabad, Junagarh, and other States; on the other, he was watching far-flung Lakshadweep intently. Actually, when we refer to Sardar Patel’s endeavor, his role in the unification of just a few notable States is discussed. He played a far more significant role when it came to a small region such as Lakshadweep too. Lakshadweep is one of the most beautiful landscapes in India. Soon after Partition in 1947, our neighbour had cast an eye on Lakshadweep; a ship bearing their flag was sent there. When Sardar Patel was informed of this, he wasted no time in initiating stern action. He urged the Mudaliar brothers, Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar and Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar to immediately undertake a mission with the people of Travancore to Lakshadweep and take the lead in unfurling the Tricolour there. Following his orders, the Tricolour was promptly unfurled there and the nefarious dreams of the neighbor of annexing Lakshadweep were decimated within no time. After this incident, Sardar Patel asked the Mudaliar brothers to personally ensure all assistance for the development of Lakshadweep. Today, Lakshadweep is contributing significantly to India’s progress. It is an attractive tourist destination too. I hope you get the opportunity to visit the picturesque islands and its pristine beaches.”
We all know about Sardar Patel’s efforts towards unifying some of the bigger places such as Hyderabad and Junagadh. But, do you know such was the man that he also focused on smaller places like Lakshadweep. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/dC6qdJDvdf
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 27, 2019
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