The government officially renamed Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to “Sri Vijaya Puram,” a decision announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah via his social media platform, X.
Shah explained that the renaming reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to shed colonial legacies. He stated, “While the previous name had colonial connotations, Sri Vijaya Puram embodies the triumph of our freedom struggle and highlights the significant role of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in this historic journey.”
He emphasized the islands’ distinguished place in India’s freedom movement, noting, “The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, once a naval base for the Chola Empire, are now essential to our strategic and developmental goals.”
Shah also underscored the islands’ historical importance, mentioning that it was the site of the first unfurling of the Indian national flag by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and home to the notorious Cellular Jail, where Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters endured hardship in their quest for independence.
