Port Blair Renamed Sri Vijaya Puram to Shed Colonial Legacy

The new name honors the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' role in India's freedom struggle and historical significance.

The central government announced the renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram on Friday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated the change aims to break free from colonial imprints and celebrate Indian heritage.
Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' unparalleled place in India's freedom struggle and history.
The islands were once a naval base for the Chola Empire and hosted the first unfurling of the Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Port Blair was originally named after Captain Archibald Blair, a British colonial naval officer who surveyed the Andaman Islands in the late 18th century.