Neli Island belongs to the South Andaman administrative district, part of the Indian Union territory, and is located in Ritchie’s Archipelago, an island of the Andaman Islands. It is officially known as Shaheed Dweep. The total area of this island is 36 km (22 mi) northeast of Port Blair. In the late 1960s, Shaheed Dweep was uninhabited until the arrival of settlers. Like Swaraj Dweep, then Havelock, the vast majority were refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan and following the exodus of Hindu Bangladeshis prior to that country’s war of independence in 1971. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced that Neill Island would be renamed as Shaheed Dweep, on 30 December 2018. The island is so beautiful. Neil Island is the best place for those who want to spend a relaxed time among long deserted beaches. With little bustle, few activities to take up, and few resorts, this island is best for those who want to explore the island’s villages with their near ones. It is named after mythological characters from the Ramayana. They included water sports in the crystal-clear water – Neil Island is Andaman’s great masterpiece.
