Government Renames Port Blair To Sri Vijaya Puram To ‘Shed Colonial Imprints’

Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is now officially Sri Vijaya Puram, following a landmark decision by the Central government on Friday.

The announcement, aimed at shedding “colonial imprints,” was shared by Union Minister Amit Shah via X (formerly Twitter).

In his post, Shah highlighted that the renaming is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to rid India of its colonial legacy. “Inspired by the vision of PM Narendra Modi, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram,” the home minister said.

The new name, Sri Vijaya Puram, reflects the significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India’s freedom struggle. Shah noted that the region has a rich historical legacy, serving as the naval base for the Chola Empire and playing a pivotal role in India’s independence movement.

The Andaman Islands are home to historic landmarks, including the Cellular Jail, where prominent freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar were imprisoned, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first raised the Tiranga, symbolizing India’s fight for independence.

This renaming aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to promote India’s heritage and strategic importance, positioning the region as a critical base for India’s defense and development aspirations.