Centre Renames Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram to Remove Colonial Legacy
On Friday, Union home minister amit shah announced that the central government has decided to rename port blair as "Sri Vijaya Puram." This change is intended to "free the nation from colonial imprints," according to Shah.
Port Blair, the capital of the Union Territory of andaman and nicobar islands, will now bear a name that reflects India's historical and cultural heritage. Shah stated that the renaming is inspired by prime minister Narendra Modi's vision of eradicating colonial influences from the nation’s identity. He explained that the previous name carried a "colonial legacy," while "Sri Vijaya Puram" symbolizes the triumphs achieved in India’s fight for independence.
The andaman and nicobar islands hold a significant place in India's history, especially in the context of the freedom struggle. Shah noted that the islands, which once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire, are now crucial for the country's strategic and developmental goals. He also emphadata-sized the islands' historic importance, mentioning that it was here that Netaji Subhash chandra bose first unfurled the indian flag and where the infamous Cellular Jail once held freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar, who endured great hardships in their fight for an independent India.