Fri Sep 13 15:47:26 UTC 2024: ## Port Blair Renamed “Sri Vijaya Puram” in Honour of India’s Freedom Struggle
**New Delhi, September 13, 2024** – In a significant move aimed at freeing India from colonial imprints, the central government has renamed Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as “Sri Vijaya Puram.” The announcement was made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision behind this decision.
Shah stated that the new name embodies the victory achieved in India’s freedom struggle and pays tribute to the islands’ crucial role in the fight for independence. “Sri Vijaya Puram” not only commemorates the triumph of freedom but also recognizes the historical significance of the islands, which once served as a naval base for the Chola Empire.
He further emphasized the significance of the location, stating that it was in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose unfurled the Indian flag for the first time. The islands also housed the infamous Cellular Jail, where freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar bravely fought for the nation’s independence.
The renaming of Port Blair, previously named after a British colonial officer, aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to remove colonial remnants. In 2018, Prime Minister Modi had announced the renaming of several islands in the archipelago, including Ross Island, Neil Island, and Havelock Island, as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Shahid Dweep, and Swaraj Dweep, respectively.
The government’s decision to rename Port Blair is expected to be met with mixed reactions. While some may view it as a symbol of national pride and a rejection of colonial legacy, others may argue that the change is unnecessary and disrupts historical continuity.
First Piper 