Port Blair Renamed ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’ to Honor Freedom Struggle
Union Home Minister announced on Friday that Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will be renamed “Sri Vijaya Puram.” This decision is part of the Indian government’s ongoing effort to honor the country’s freedom fighters and remove remnants of its colonial past.
Explaining the decision on X (formerly Twitter), Shah said, “Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s vision to free the nation from colonial imprints, we have decided to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram. While the previous name carried a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram embodies the spirit of victory from our freedom struggle and highlights the unique role of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in that fight.”
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands hold a significant place in India’s history. Once a strategic naval base for the Chola Empire, the islands later became a pivotal site in India’s struggle for independence.
Sri Vijaya Puram – Erase Colonial Past
Shah further noted, “This is where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first unfurled our national flag, the Tiranga, and where Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters endured hardship in the Cellular Jail, fighting for an independent India.”
The renaming of Port Blair goes beyond symbolism. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are vital to India’s defense and development strategies, especially given their strategic location in the Indian Ocean. Shah emphasised that the new name reflects a vision for a modern India, one that respects its history while planning for a future focused on growth and security.
The name “Sri Vijaya Puram” pays tribute to the ancient Sri Vijaya Empire, which once held considerable influence over the region.
This is not the first time names have been changed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Earlier, on Parakram Diwas in January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed 21 unnamed islands in the region after Param Vir Chakra awardees. He also unveiled a model for a National Memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, to be constructed on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, formerly Ross Island.
