Union Minister Ramdas Athawale Welcomes Renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram
New Delhi [India], September 13: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Friday welcomed the Centre’s decision to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram, calling it a tribute to the freedom struggle. He said, “Port Blair was the colonial name…The new name Sri Vijaya Puram is to commemorate the freedom struggle. This decision by Amit Shah is a welcome step…We support this step…”
He also criticized Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, over his statement against reservation during his recent visit to the United States. Athawale said, “Rahul Gandhi has been a good friend. I have been associated with him for many years. I was unaware that Rahul Gandhi would speak against reservation during his visit to the United States…His comments have violated the Constitution.”
On September 9, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress party will think of scrapping reservations when India becomes a “fair place,” which it is not. The Congress leader was interacting with students and faculty at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced that Andaman and Nicobar Island’s capital, Port Blair, has been renamed as “Sri Vijaya Puram.” Shah said that the earlier name of the city had a colonial legacy, while the new name symbolizes the victory achieved in the freedom struggle. He posted on X, “Inspired by the vision of PM Narendra Ji, to free the nation from the colonial imprints, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as ‘Sri Vijaya Puram.’ 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.”
He added, “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.”
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a member of the central government in India who is in charge of a specific department or ministry, like education or health.
Ramdas Athawale -: Ramdas Athawale is an Indian politician and the current Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.
Port Blair -: Port Blair is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, which is part of India.
Sri Vijaya Puram -: Sri Vijaya Puram is the new name proposed for Port Blair. ‘Sri’ is a respectful title in India, and ‘Vijaya’ means victory.
Freedom struggle -: The freedom struggle refers to the long fight by Indians to gain independence from British rule, which was achieved in 1947.
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is an Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Reservation -: Reservation in India refers to the system of affirmative action that provides opportunities in education and jobs for historically disadvantaged groups.
Amit Shah -: Amit Shah is an Indian politician and the current Home Minister of India, responsible for internal security and law and order.
Colonial imprints -: Colonial imprints are the marks or influences left by colonial rulers, like the British, on a country’s culture, names, and institutions.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands -: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, part of India, known for their historical significance and natural beauty.
