Fri Sep 13 14:47:28 UTC 2024: ## Andaman and Nicobar Islands Capital Renamed “Sri Vijaya Puram”
**Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has been renamed “Sri Vijaya Puram” in a move aimed at removing colonial imprints and celebrating India’s freedom struggle.** The announcement was made on Friday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who stated that the new name symbolizes the victory achieved in the fight for independence and the islands’ crucial role in the struggle.
“Inspired by the vision of PM Narendra Modi Ji, to free the nation from colonial imprints, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as “Sri Vijaya Puram,” Shah said on X (formerly Twitter).
The minister highlighted the islands’ significant historical and strategic importance, noting that they served as the naval base of the Chola Empire and were also the location of the first unfurling of the Indian flag by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The infamous Cellular Jail, where Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters were imprisoned, is also located in the islands.
The renaming comes amidst a ₹72,000 crore project by the Centre in the Nicobar Islands, which has raised concerns about potential displacement of the indigenous Shompen tribe. Local officials have assured that the project will not impact the Shompen community, as they have moved further into the jungles following the 2004 tsunami.
This move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s renaming of 21 unnamed islands in the UT after Param Vir Chakra awardees on Parakram Diwas earlier this year. He also unveiled a model for the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji, to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, formerly known as Ross Island.
First Piper 