In the Arabian Sea, on the southwest coast of India, lies a stunningly beautiful archipelago. This group of islands is known as Lakshadweep. It is a Union Territory of India, comprising 36 islands, out of which only 10 are inhabited. Lakshadweep is famous for its natural beauty. The sand on these beaches is so white and fine that it rivals the beaches of the Maldives. Some of the most popular beaches in Lakshadweep are Agatti, Bangaram, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, and Minicoy.
Lakshadweep is home to a rich variety of marine life. It hosts a wide range of marine creatures including various types of fish, sea urchins, coral reefs, dolphins, and whales. The archipelago is becoming a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving, offering a view into the underwater world.
The early history of Lakshadweep is not well-known, but it is believed that these islands were settled by King Cheraman Perumal of Kerala. It is said that King Cheraman Perumal converted to Islam at the behest of some Arab traders. The arrival of Islam in the islands dates back to around the 7th century. In the 11th century, the Chola dynasty ruled over Lakshadweep. Subsequently, in the 16th century, the Portuguese gained control of these islands, but in 1799 they were conquered by the British East India Company.
The history of Lakshadweep has been quite distinct from the rest of India. From independence until the new millennium, it was never considered part of mainland India. When the rest of India was developing and new cities were being built, Lakshadweep had a different destiny. Its economy was primarily dependent on agriculture and fishing. Gradually, tourism is becoming a part of Lakshadweep’s economy.
For most of the time after independence, the Congress party was in power, and they had no specific plan for Lakshadweep. The Congress party received votes from Lakshadweep due to the Muslim majority without any solicitation. Therefore, Congress did not make any efforts for the development of Lakshadweep.
However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a clear intention – the development of Lakshadweep. This was evident in 2020 and 2021 when Praful Khoda Patel, a senior leader of BJP and a close associate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was appointed as the administrator of Lakshadweep in December 2020. He implemented several significant changes for the modernization of the Union Territory, aiming to transform it into a tourist destination. Patel challenged the status quo in Lakshadweep, which has been predominantly Islamic. Despite negative reactions from the local people, Patel remained firm in his mission of reforming the region.
Also Read: Who is Praful Patel? The bold administrator of Lakshadweep who has riled up the Islamo-leftist cabal
In 1962, a prohibition was imposed in Lakshadweep at the behest of the clerics, but in 2021, the Indian government decided to lift the prohibition in Lakshadweep. The purpose of this decision was to make Lakshadweep a more attractive tourist destination. The lifting of prohibition has led to an increase in tourism in Lakshadweep. However, the local Muslim community is still unhappy with this decision.
The opposition, mainly the Congress party, accused the Modi government of weakening the Islamic character of Lakshadweep. Leftist parties and Congress said that the decision to lift the prohibition was intended to upset the predominantly Muslim population of Lakshadweep. The prohibition in Lakshadweep is considered a social and religious issue. The Muslim community believes that alcohol is haram (forbidden), and allowing it will harm the culture and Islamic values of Lakshadweep. But the Modi government remained firm and resolute.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep on January 2 and 3, 2024. It was his first visit, and it focused on balancing India’s strategic interests with the local development of Lakshadweep. Pictures of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep have been widely circulated. In these pictures, Prime Minister Modi can be seen interacting with the local people, snorkeling, and enjoying the natural beauty of the islands. These pictures have helped raise awareness about Lakshadweep and also proved that Prime Minister Modi is committed to connecting with the local people and to the development of Lakshadweep.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit indicated that India is not only determined to maintain its hold on Lakshadweep but also resolved to develop it into a tourism powerhouse. Modi stated in his speech that Lakshadweep is an integral part of India, and he expressed his commitment to the development of the region.
Prime Minister Modi announced several plans for the development of Lakshadweep. These include – the construction of a new optical fiber cable that will connect Lakshadweep to the mainland’s high-speed internet, building a new airport that will make Lakshadweep more accessible for tourism and trade, and developing new agricultural and fishing projects to diversify the local economy.
The Congress and leftist parties believe that tourism development will harm the culture and religious values of Lakshadweep. But Prime Minister Modi believes that developing it will provide employment opportunities for the local people, boost the economy of Lakshadweep, and promote India’s tourism industry.
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