Centre renames Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram, announces Amit Shah
- In Reports
- 09:45 PM, Sep 13, 2024
- Myind Staff
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that Port Blair will be renamed as 'Sri Vijaya Puram'. He explained that this decision, to rename the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to "free the nation from colonial imprints" and embrace India's cultural heritage.
"Inspired by the vision of PM Narendra Modi Ji, to free the nation from the colonial imprints, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as "Sri Vijaya Puram," Shah wrote as he announced the Centre's decision on X.
Port Blair was named after Captain Archibald Blair, who was a British colonial navy official of the East India Company. "While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the A&N Islands' unique role in the same," the Home Minister added.
Shah further stated, "Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history. The island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations. It is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of our Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Ji and also the cellular jail in which Veer Savarkar Ji and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation."
Port Blair is the capital city of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The capital city, known for the Cellular Jail National Memorial, holds significant historical importance as a prison where many nationalists and freedom fighters, including Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Veer Savarkar), Batukeshwar Dutt, and Yogendra Shukla, were incarcerated. The colonial-era jail, also referred to as 'Kala Pani', was also used to detain British prisoners during World War II.
Port Blair serves as the gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, renowned for its picturesque beaches, scenic beauty, and water activities like scuba diving, sea cruises, and snorkelling.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed the decision and commended the government for its efforts to free India from the "symbols of slavery".
"The decision of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to change the name of Port Blair to "Sri Vijaya Puram" is extremely welcome. The naming of Sri Vijaya Puram is dedicated to highlighting the historical importance and glorious traditions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The work of freeing the country from the symbols of slavery is commendable. This area has been a witness to the historic moment of hoisting of the tricolour flag by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose as well as the struggle of Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters," he stated in a post in Hindi on X.
The Nicobar Islands have been in the news due to a ₹72,000 crore project by the Central government, which has raised concerns about the potential displacement of the indigenous Shompen tribe.
The Shompens, who are predominantly uncontacted nomadic hunters, have a population of around 244 on Nicobar Island. Local administration officials have clarified that the proposed project is planned in an area not currently inhabited by the Shompens, as the tribe retreated deeper into the jungles after the 2004 tsunami.
Image source: PTI
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