New Delhi: The government has decided to rename Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Sri Vijaya Puram. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the change via social media, stating that the renaming aims to remove colonial legacies and honor the nation’s freedom struggle.
Amit Shah emphasized that Sri Vijaya Puram represents the victory and sacrifices made during India’s quest for independence. He highlighted the historical importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, noting their role as a naval base for the Chola Empire and their strategic significance in contemporary times.
The Union Home Minister also pointed out that the islands were the site of the first unfurling of the Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the infamous cellular jail where Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters endured hardships in their fight for an independent India.