Swaraj Island

2021-08-26T08:10:19Z

103.154.38.154: /* Etymology */Fixed typo

{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{short description|Island of the Andaman Islands}}
{{Infobox islands
| name = Swaraj Island
| native_name_link =
| native_name_lang = Hindi
| sobriquet =
| image_name =[[File:Havelock, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.JPG|250px]]
| image_caption =A view of a beach in Havelock Island
| image_alt =
| map = India Andaman and Nicobar Islands
| map_alt =
| map_width =250px
| map_caption = Location of Havelock Island
| coordinates = {{coord|11.96|N|93.00|E|region:IN-AN_type:isle_dim:50000_source:GNS-enwiki|display=inline,title}}
| etymology =
| location = [[Bay of Bengal]]
| archipelago = [[Andaman Islands]]
| waterbody = [[Indian Ocean]]
| total_islands = {{nowrap|1}}
| major_islands = {{hlist|Havelock }}
| area_km2 = 92.2
| area_footnotes =
| rank =
| length_km = 18
| width_km = 8
| coastline_km = 58.5
| elevation_m = 167
| elevation_footnotes =
| highest_mount = Yulutang
| country = {{flag|India}}
| country_admin_divisions_title = [[List of districts in India#Andaman and Nicobar (AN)|District]]
| country_admin_divisions = [[South Andaman district|South Andaman]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[Island group]]
| country_admin_divisions_1 = [[Andaman Islands]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 = Island sub-group
| country_admin_divisions_2 = [[Ritchie's Archipelago]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_3 = [[Tehsils of India|Tehsil]]
| country_admin_divisions_3 = [[Ritchie's Archipelago|Ritchie's Archipelago Tehsil]]
| country_largest_city = Govinda Nagar
| population = 6,351{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_rank =
| population_rank_max =
| density_km2 = 68.5
| density_rank =
| density_footnotes =
| ethnic_groups = [[Bengali people|Bengali]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 744211<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-codes.com/pincodes/a-n-islands-pin-code |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323224041/http://www.india-codes.com/pincodes/a-n-islands-pin-code |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 March 2014 |title=A&N Islands - Pincodes |date=22 September 2016|accessdate=22 September 2016 }}</ref>
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 031928 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://allcodesindia.in/stdcode/andaman+and+nicobar.php |publisher=allcodesindia.in|title=STD Codes of Andaman and Nicobar|accessdate=23 September 2016}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|http://www.and.nic.in/}}
|additional_info = {{Infobox|child=yes
| label1 =
| data1 =
| label2 = Literacy | data2 = 84.4%
| label3 = Avg. summer temperature| data3 ={{convert|30.2|°C|°F}}
| label4 = Avg. winter temperature| data4 ={{convert|23.0|°C|°F}}
| label5 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]| data5 =1.2[[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| label7 = Census code| data7 = 35.639.0004
| label8 = Official languages| data8 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[English language|English]]
}}
|local_name=Swaraj Island}}
'''Havelock Island''', officially '''Swaraj Island''', is one of the largest islands in [[Ritchie's Archipelago]], to the east of [[Great Andaman]] within the [[Andaman Islands]]. It belongs to the [[South Andaman district|South Andaman]] administrative [[Districts of India|district]], part of the [[India]]n [[union territory]] of [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-VillageDirectory/Directory/short_code_rural_35.pdf|title=Village Code Directory: Andaman & Nicobar Islands|publisher=Census of India|accessdate=16 January 2011}}</ref> The island is {{convert|41|km|0|abbr=on}} northeast of the capital city, [[Port Blair]].

==Etymology==
Havelock Island is named after a British [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|general]], [[Henry Havelock|Sir Henry Havelock]], who served in India.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Great Uprising in India, 1857-58: Untold Stories, Indian and British |first=Rosie |last=Llewellyn-Jones |publisher=Boydell & Brewer |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-84383-304-8 |page=168 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vcHQd-M5NsQC&pg=PA168}}</ref>

In December 2018, it was renamed, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Swaraj Island as a tribute to [[Subhas Chandra Bose]]. Bose had hoisted the Indian flag at Port Blair on 30 December 1943 and proclaimed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as [[Azad Hind|liberated from British rule]]. He had subsequently named Andaman Island as Shaheed and Nicobar Island as Swaraj.<ref name="2018RenameHT">{{cite news |author1=Ananya Bhardwaj |title=Andaman's most-visited islands to be renamed during PM Modi visit |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/3-andaman-islands-to-get-new-names/story-NC3sWdg8oHAP6sLyXDBEeI.html |accessdate=31 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
Havelock is one of the few places that the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory of India has permitted and encouraged development of tourism, with a focus on promoting [[eco-tourism]].

Havelock Island avoided much of the devastation by the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]] and its resulting [[tsunami]] and there were no documented casualties.

There is a [[Havelock Island lighthouse|lighthouse]] at the northern point of the island, near Govinda Nagar, established in 2005.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dgll.nic.in/LightHouse.aspx?Consent_id=215&Module_id=16&LocationId=10&LangId=1|publisher=Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships|title=Narcondam Island|accessdate=18 October 2016}}<br>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/mandobaron/2069461429/]</ref>

On 30 December 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Havelock Island would be renamed as Swaraj Island.<ref name="2018ToiRename">{{cite news |title=PM Narendra Modi renames 3 islands of Andaman Nicobar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-narendra-modi-renames-3-islands-of-andaman-nicobar/articleshow/67311660.cms |accessdate=31 December 2018 |work=The Times of India |date=30 December 2018}}</ref>

==Geography==
The island belongs to the [[Ritchie's Archipelago]] and is located between [[Sir William Peel Island|Peel Island]] and [[Neill Island]].

==Administration==
Politically, Havelock Island is part of [[Port Blair]] ''[[Tehsils of India|taluk]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://andssw1.and.nic.in/ecostat/basicstatPDF2013_14/1.Demogrpahy.pdf |publisher=andssw1.and.nic.in|title=DEMOGRAPHIC – A&N ISLANDS |accessdate=23 September 2016}}</ref>

==Demographics==
The island's current{{when|date=March 2017}} population of 6,351{{cn|date=March 2017}} consists of mainly [[Bengali people|Bengali]] settlers. Many of these settlers have East Bengali origin as these people were given settlement by the Indian government after the [[Partition of India]] in 1947.

The six villages are:
* Govinda Nagar 2,940
* Vejoy Nagar (inc. Kalapathar) 1,099
* Shyam Nagar 856
* Krishna Nagar 719
* Radha Nagar 637
* Road between Shyam Nagar and Krishna Nagar 100<ref>[http://ls1.and.nic.in/doef/images/Havelock.jpg Map]</ref>

==Beaches==
Radhanagar Beach on the western coast, also known as Number 7 Beach, is one of the most popular beaches on Havelock and was named "Best Beach in Asia" by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/2004/boa/boa_soul_andaman.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-01-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123030227/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2004/boa/boa_soul_andaman.html |archive-date=23 January 2009 |df=dmy-all }} </ref> Radhanagar beach also bagged the prestigious blue flag certification in 2020. A Blue Flag beach is an eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide the tourists or beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities, safe and healthy environment. <ref>{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Ravi Prakash|date=2020-10-15|title=8 Indian beaches get prestigious Blue Flag certification. Check list here|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/best-indian-beaches-get-prestigious-blue-flag-certification-check-list-here-11602743882083.html|access-date=2021-02-13|website=mint|language=en}}</ref> Other notable beaches include Elephant Beach on the northwest coast and Vijay Nagar Beach (No. 5), Beach No. 3 and Beach No. 1 on the east coast. Kalapathar is another famous beach.<ref>[http://www.andamans.gov.in/images/havlockmap.jpg beaches map]<br>- [http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/28/travel/100-best-beaches/index.html?sr=sharebar_facebook CNN]</ref>

To reach Elephant beach one needs to take a boat from Havelock Island jetty. Another way to reach Elephant beach is via trekking. The major 3 beaches at Havelock Island are namely Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach and Kalapathar beach.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Havelock Island Tourism - Detailed Travel Guide 2021 with Photos|url=https://www.experienceandamans.com/andaman-tourism/havelock|access-date=2021-02-13|website=www.experienceandamans.com}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The island can be reached from Port Blair by government-operated ferries and private cruises.<ref>{{cite news|author1=A & N Administration|title=Ferry Program for Neil, Havelock & Rangat|url=http://www.andaman.gov.in/web/guest/neilhavrangat|accessdate=15 October 2013}}</ref> There are also helicopter services.<ref>{{cite news|author1= A & N Administration|title=Helicopter Inter Island Schedule|url=http://www.andaman.gov.in/web/guest/helicopter-schedule|accessdate=15 October 2013}}</ref>

A local bus connects the jetty and villages on an hourly circuit.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=8KnLFpjEHpUC&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=avis+island+mayabunder&source=bl&ots=fIX5iWKwHP&sig=ls8YemvCGIqTkWEt-nAvs-8PlvA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjF7Yjw8a7PAhUQnRQKHYKxD2AQ6AEIUzAI#v=onepage&q&f=true bus]</ref> Private ferries that sail to Havelock Island are Makruzz, Green Ocean, Sea Link and ITT Majestic these cruises have different sailing time and schedule from Port Blair to Havelock Island and from Neil Island to Havelock Island. The ferry sailing to Havelock is subject to weather conditions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ferry and Cruise Booking and Timing in Andaman in 2021|url=https://www.experienceandamans.com/ferry|access-date=2021-02-13|website=www.experienceandamans.com}}</ref>

Within the island you can travel in a cab, a two wheeler or bus. The most convenient way is to take a cab or a two wheeler.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Havelock Island, Mangrove trees in tropical sea, Andaman Islands.jpg|Mangrove trees, East side
File:Havelock Island, Tropical beach and tree, Andaman Islands.jpg|Trees on the beach, East side
File:Havelock Island, Canopy of tropical moist evergreen forest, Andaman Islands.jpg|Canopy of tropical rainforest
File:Havelock Island, Sunset at the beach, Andamans.jpg|Sunset on the beach
File:Radha Nagar Beach, Havelock Island.jpg|alt=Radha Nagar Beach|Radha Nagar Beach, Havelock Island
File:Radha Nagar beach, Havelock Island, Andamn, India- Sun set view.jpg|Radha Nagar Beach sunset view
File:Elephenta beach, Havelock Island, Andamn, India.jpg|Elephant Beach, Havelock Island
File:Kalapathar beach Havelock Island, Andaman, India.JPG|Kalapathar Beach
File:Promonant horticulture produce of Havelock, Andaman Island, India.jpg|Prominent horticulture produce of Havelock
File:Coral reef Elephant Beach ,Andaman 03.jpg|Coral reef Elephant Beach
File:Coral reef Elephant Beach ,Andaman 10.jpg|Coral reef Elephant Beach
File:Havelock Light House.jpg|Havelock Light House
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Havelock Island}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Portal|India}}
* [https://www.andaman.gov.in/tourism/Swarajdweep Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)] at Andaman & Nicobar Tourism website

{{South Andaman district |state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Havelock Island}}
[[Category:Cities and towns in South Andaman district]]
[[Category:Ritchie's Archipelago]]
[[Category:Islands of South Andaman district]]
[[Category:Islands of the Andaman Sea]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]

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Swaraj Island