Sri Vijayapuram, Dec 12 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday honored freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, acknowledging him as both a writer and a fighter who established the groundwork for 'Cultural Nationalism'.

While addressing an event in Sri Vijayapuram (Andaman and Nicobar), commemorating 115 years since the release of Savarkar's poetry collection, 'Sagara Prana Talamalla', HM Shah stated, “The essence of Savarkar's ideology must be shared and embraced by parents for future generations.”

He credited Savarkar with defining the concept of 'Cultural Nationalism', an ideology that continues to guide the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Home Minister remarked that Savarkar was not only a writer but also a fighter, describing him as a natural patriot and a visionary.

Additionally, Savarkar was a social reformer, poet, and author. HM Shah noted that few writers achieve proficiency in both prose and poetry.

“My deep exploration of his literature leaves me pondering whether he was a superior poet or writer; he excelled at both. Furthermore, he became a remarkable linguist, enriching our language with around 600 new words,” he remarked.

During the unveiling of his statue by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, HM Shah expressed, “This statue of Savarkar Ji embodies the sacrifice, determination, and dedication he exhibited for Mother India while imprisoned in the Cellular Jail.”

“It serves as an inspiration for generations to come, encapsulating the messages of courage, duty towards the motherland, steadfastness, national unity, and dreams of a prosperous nation,” he added.

He highlighted that prior to India’s independence, any prisoner sent to the Cellular Jail was often forgotten by their families.

“Historically, it was thought that no one could survive this jail, yet it has transformed into a pilgrimage site for all Indians due to Savarkar's enduring legacy during his hardships here,” he noted.

HM Shah also spoke of the connection to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, mentioning that the Azad Hind Fauj first liberated the Andaman-Nicobar Islands, and that Subhas Babu had suggested renaming the islands 'Shaheed' and 'Swaraj', a proposal now implemented by PM Modi.

“The Andaman-Nicobar Islands represent a sacred ground where freedom fighters from across India made significant sacrifices,” stated HM Shah.

“Individuals from every province faced the gallows here. The unveiling of Savarkar's statue by the esteemed Dr. Mohan Bhagwat of the RSS, an organization dedicated to promoting Savarkar’s ideology, is a momentous occasion,” he concluded.

“This location is sacred, the memory of Savarkar is sacred, and this statue, unveiled by Bhagwat ji, will remain a cherished symbol forever,” he emphasized.