Sat Sep 14 07:48:13 UTC 2024: ## Port Blair Renamed ‘Sri Vijayapuram’ to Reflect India’s Independence Struggle
**New Delhi:** The Indian government has officially renamed Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as ‘Sri Vijayapuram’ in a move to eliminate colonial remnants from the country.
Port Blair was named after Archibald Blair, a naval officer of the East India Company who surveyed the Chagos and Andaman archipelago in 1789. Blair was instrumental in establishing Port Blair as a key center of the British maritime network, overseeing its development and its role in managing administrative and commercial activities.
The newly chosen name, ‘Sri Vijayapuram,’ translates to “City of Victory” and aims to honor the island’s significant role in India’s independence struggle. It served as a vital naval base for the Chola Empire, and was the site of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s first hoisting of the Indian flag. The notorious Cellular Jail, where freedom fighters faced brutal oppression during British rule, also resides in Port Blair.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who announced the name change, emphasized that the new name reflects the contribution of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to India’s fight for independence. “The decision to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijayapuram was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to liberate the country from all symbols of slavery,” Shah stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The island is now poised to play a crucial role in bolstering India’s security and development, said Shah, further highlighting its historical significance as a symbol of resilience and freedom.
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