Mumbai: Paying glowing tributes to Swatantryaveer Savarkar, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president L K Advani today (Nov 21, 2004) hoped that the plaque containing the verses of the revolutionary is restored at the Cellular Jail in Andaman.

"The Central Government has removed the plaque from Cellular jail and I pray the almighty that it is restored", Advani said at a function held in Mumbai to release the DVD and VCD of movie titled "Veer Savarkar".

The restoration of the plaque will not only enhance the glory of the great revolutionary but the nation will be honoured by the act, the former Deputy Prime Minister, on his maiden visit to the metropolis after assuming the reins of the BJP, said.

Describing Savarkar as an "icon", Advani said he was greatly influenced by Savarkar's works like "India's first war of independence" and "Hindutva".

"At the age of 15, when I joined the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), it was recommended that I read these two books", Advani said adding, till that time he had heard of Mangal Pandey and the Sepoy mutiny of 1857 but Savarkar's well-researched book, written with a nationalist view, gave him insight into the India's first freedom struggle.

As a rationalist and non-conformist, Savarkar opposed many superstitions in Hindu religion, Advani noted.

The BJP leader also paid rich tributes to late music director Sudhir Phadke, who produced "Veer Savarkar".

Those present on the occasion included BJP national general secretary Pramod Mahajan and party's Maharashtra unit chief Nitin Gadkari.