The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Lakshadweep, India’s smallest Union Territory, has generated widespread interest, especially on social media. The images of the pristine beaches and captivating snorkeling experiences in Lakshadweep captured the attention of travelers both within India and abroad. However, the visit also led to a diplomatic row with Maldives, where three ministers, now suspended, made derogatory posts against PM Modi and India.
Prominent figures in India, including Bollywood celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and John Abraham, as well as sports icons like Sachin Tendulkar, PV Sindhu, and Suresh Raina, showed support and actively promoted tourism in Lakshadweep. Their endorsements aimed at encouraging Indians to explore the beauty of the country’s islands.
Anticipating significant economic benefits, the Lakshadweep administration is expecting investments exceeding Rs 20,000 crore in the near future to elevate the region’s tourism status comparable to that of the Maldives. Lakshadweep has consistently ranked as the most searched place on Google from India since the Prime Minister’s visit.
After Independence, Lakshadweep faced the potential threat of being taken over by Pakistan. The archipelago might have become a Pakistan-occupied territory if it weren’t for the swift actions of India’s ‘Iron Man,’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Following the partition in 1947, the subcontinent was divided into West Pakistan and East Pakistan, both Muslim-majority regions. Lakshadweep, located 496 km off the coast of Kochi, remained relatively unimportant to Pakistan at that time. It was only later that Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League who played a key role in the creation of Pakistan, turned attention towards Lakshadweep, despite its 93% Muslim population. However, thanks to the proactive measures taken by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lakshadweep remained under Indian control.
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In his October 2019 edition of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the role of India’s ‘Iron Man,’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in unifying crucial princely states such as Hyderabad and Junagarh. Additionally, the Prime Minister emphasized how Patel’s decisive actions also played a crucial role in safeguarding Lakshadweep from the potential threat of being taken over by Pakistan. Patel’s efforts and leadership during the post-independence period were instrumental in preserving the territorial integrity of India.
