The central government has decided to rename Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to Sri Vijaya Puram. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the change on Friday, calling it a tribute to the victory achieved during India’s freedom struggle.
“Guided by Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji’s vision to remove colonial remnants, we have chosen to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram. While the previous name had colonial roots, the new name symbolizes the triumph of our freedom movement and the unique role played by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” Shah shared on his X account.
He also highlighted the significance of the islands in India’s history, noting that they were once a naval base for the Chola Empire and are now a key location for India’s strategic and developmental ambitions.
Additionally, Shah mentioned that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are historically significant as the site where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first hoisted the national flag and where freedom fighters, including Veer Savarkar, endured imprisonment at the Cellular Jail.
In January 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi named 21 large, previously unnamed islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago after Param Vir Chakra recipients.
Situated on the eastern coast of South Andaman Island, Port Blair (now Sri Vijaya Puram) serves as a gateway to over 500 untouched islands. It is also the commercial center of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and offers various water-based activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and sea cruises for tourists.
