In a recent notable decision, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has been renamed to ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’. In his X post, Shah emphasized that the decision has been taken to pay tribute to the region’s historical and cultural ties, driven by the vision of the Narendra Modi government.
Shah wrote, “The former name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the triumph accomplished in our fight struggle and the A&N Islands’ distinct role in this context.” Additionally, he noted that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands hold an exceptional place in the freedom battle and historical legacy.
Inspired by the vision of PM @narendramodi Ji, to free the nation from the colonial imprints, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as "Sri Vijaya Puram."
While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 13, 2024
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Historical Significance of Andaman And Nicobar Islands
Shah highlighted on X that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands hosted the first unfurling of Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He also stated that the island housed the cellular jail in which Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters faced imprisonment.
The island territory that previously functioned as the naval base of the Chola Kingdom is set to be the key hub for strategic and developmental goals, he stated.
PM Modi’s Previous Move
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed 21 islands of the Union Territory as part of a larger initiative to commemorate India’s heritage. The islands were renamed after the Param Vir Chakra awardees.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has also supported the renaming of Port Blair and praised the commendable step towards honouring the freedom struggle.
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