Prime Minister Modi Renames Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will now be called Sri Vijaya Puram. This change reflects the government’s commitment to break free from the colonial mindset and honor the rich history and heroic people of the islands.
Government’s Vision
In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “The name Sri Vijaya Puram honors 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.”
Union Home Minister’s Statement
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also announced the renaming on X, calling it a move inspired by PM Modi’s vision to free the nation from colonial imprints. Shah highlighted the historic importance of the Union Territory, noting its unparalleled place in the freedom struggle and history.
“While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolizes the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the A&N Islands’ unique role in the same,” Shah wrote. He also mentioned the island’s historical significance as a naval base of the Chola Empire and the site where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first unfurled the Indian flag.
Local and National Reactions
Andaman and Nicobar Islands BJP Vice President Sanjay Kumar Singh expressed gratitude to PM Modi and Amit Shah for the renaming. He called the decision a testament to the government’s commitment to preserving India’s cultural heritage and honoring its freedom fighters.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also welcomed the decision, stating that it highlights the historical importance of the Union Territory and commends efforts to free the country from symbols of slavery.
Doubts Revealed
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi is the leader of India. He makes important decisions for the country.
Port Blair -: Port Blair is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which are a group of islands in the Indian Ocean.
Sri Vijaya Puram -: Sri Vijaya Puram is the new name given to Port Blair. It is meant to honor the history and culture of the region.
colonial legacies -: Colonial legacies are things left behind by countries that used to rule over other places. In this case, it refers to the British who once ruled India.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah -: Amit Shah is a high-ranking official in the Indian government. He helps make important decisions about the country’s internal affairs.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands BJP Vice President Sanjay Kumar Singh -: Sanjay Kumar Singh is a leader in the BJP, a major political party in India, for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami -: Pushkar Singh Dhami is the leader of the state of Uttarakhand in India. He supports the renaming decision.
symbols of slavery -: Symbols of slavery are things that remind people of a time when others were forced to work without freedom. The renaming aims to remove such reminders.