Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Context

• The Swarnim Vijay Varsh Victory Flame was taken to Indira Point, the southernmost tip of the country on August 22, 2021, as part of its voyage to the Nicobar Group of Islands.
• 2021 is being celebrated as Swarnim Vijay Varsh to mark the 50th year of India’s historic victory in the 1971 war.

Indira Point

• Indira Point, southernmost point of India's territory, is a village in Great Nicobar Island.
• The point was formerly known as Pygmalion Point and Parsons Point. It was renamed in honour of Indira Gandhi during mid-1980s.
• Galathea National Park and Lighthouse are the major attractions here.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Emarald Islands is a union territory of India consisting of 572 islands, of which 38 are inhabited, at the junction of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
• The territory is about 150 km north of Aceh in Indonesia and separated from Thailand and Myanmar by the Andaman Sea.
• It comprises two island groups, the Andaman Islands (partly) and the Nicobar Islands, separated by the 150 km wide Ten Degree Channel (on the 10°N parallel).
• The island chains are thought to be a submerged extension of the Arakan Mountains.
• The Andaman islands are divided into three main islands i.e. North, Middle, and South.
• Port Blair, the capital of Andaman Nicobar Islands lies in the South Andaman.
• Duncan passage separates Little Andaman from South Andaman.
• The Coco Strait is between the North Andaman islands and the Coco Islands of Myanmar.
• The Barren and Narcondam Islands north of Port Blair – are the only active volcanoes in India.
• Saddle peak (737 m) in North Andaman is the highest peak.
• Ritchie’s Archipelago is a cluster of smaller islands which lie 20 km east of Great Andaman and Neil Island and Havelock Island are in Ritchie’s Archipelago.
• Ross Island in South Andaman has been renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep, and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep.
• The Islands have dense tropical rain forests.
• The Andaman Islands are home to four 'Negrito' tribes – the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese.
• The Nicobar Islands are home to two 'Mongoloid' tribes – the Shompen and Nicobarese.
• The 'Negrito' tribes are believed to have arrived in the islands from Africa up to 60,000 years ago
• The islands host the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the only tri-service geographical command of the Indian Armed Forces.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1748162