New Delhi, September 13, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
The Indian government has officially renamed Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to ‘Shri Vijaya Puram’.
The decision is part of an ongoing effort to “free the nation from colonial imprints.” Port Blair, named after British colonial navy officer Captain Archibald Blair of the East India Company, is the main entry point to the islands.
Home Minister Amit Shah Announces Renaming
Home Minister Amit Shah took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce the name change. Shah emphasized that the old name reflected India’s colonial past, while *Shri Vijaya Puram* symbolizes the victory and freedom achieved through India’s independence struggle.
“Andaman and Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history. The earlier name had a colonial legacy, but *Shri Vijaya Puram* represents the unique role these islands played in the freedom movement,” Shah said.
Historical Significance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have deep historical ties to India’s independence movement. Shah highlighted that the islands were once a naval base for the Chola Empire and played a key role in shaping India’s strategic aspirations. Additionally, it was on these islands that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first unfurled the Indian flag, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom.
The islands also housed the infamous Cellular Jail, where freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar and many others were imprisoned and endured hardship for the cause of an independent India.
Consistent Efforts to Remove Colonial Traces
The renaming of Port Blair is part of a broader initiative by the Indian government to replace colonial-era names with those that better reflect the nation’s cultural heritage and freedom struggle.
In July 2023, the iconic *Durbar Hall* and *Ashok Hall* of Rashtrapati Bhavan were renamed *Ganatantra Mandap* and *Ashok Mandap*, respectively. The President’s Secretariat explained that these changes are part of an ongoing effort to make Rashtrapati Bhavan’s environment more reflective of Indian cultural values.
