The Government of India has decided to rename the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Port Blair as “Sri Vijaya Puram”, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah announced in a post on X platform on Friday. Shah said that the name change was inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to free the nation from the colonial imprints.

“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,” he said.

The Union Home Minister added that 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,” he added.

Replying to Amit Shah’s post, the Prime Minister said, “The name Sri Vijaya Puram honours the rich history and heroic people of Andaman and Nicobar islands. It also reflects our commitment to break free from the colonial mindset and celebrate our heritage.”