"Step to embracing future free from colonial imprints": Union Minister JP Nadda on Port Blair's renaming

New Delhi [India], September 13 : After the centre renamed Port Blair as 'Sri Vijaya Puram' on Friday, Union Minister JP Nadda said that the decision to rename the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar marks a significant step towards embracing a future free from colonial imprints.
Union Minister Nadda said that the decision embodies Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of erasing colonial legacies and reclaiming the country's historical identity.
Taking to his social media handle on X, JP Nadda posted, "The decision to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram embodies PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji's vision of erasing colonial legacies and reclaiming our historical identity."
JP Nadda said the previous name carried echoes of colonial rule, whereas the new name, Sri Vijaya Puram, will honour the bravery and sacrifices of India's freedom fighters who struggled to break free from colonial domination.
"The previous name carried echoes of colonial rule, but every mention of Sri Vijaya Puram will now serve as a tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of our freedom fighters who fought to dismantle the shackles of colonial oppression. This renaming marks a significant step towards embracing a future free from colonial imprints," read the post.
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 symbolises the victory achieved in the freedom struggle.
"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.' 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 posted on X.
"Andaman and 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.
President of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators, Mohan Vinod, thanked the Union government for renaming Port Blair to 'Sri Vijaya Puram' on Friday.
Vinod expressed heartfelt gratitude and said, "This historic decision is a game-changer for our tourism industry. The new name, Sri Vijay Puram, will not only boost tourism but also preserve the rich history and cultural heritage of our islands."
He praised the government's efforts in recognising the significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and taking steps to promote its unique identity.
He also said that the name had been attached to the Britishers for a long time, but now that legacy has been left behind.
"For a long time, our capital's name was attached to the Britishers, but now it has been changed to the name of a warrior. For that, I thank the Prime Minister and Home Minister," he added.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also welcomed the central government's decision to rename Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as 'Sri Vijaya Puram' on Friday.
In a post on X, CM Dhami said that the renaming is dedicated to highlighting the historical importance of the Union Territory and commended the efforts to free the country from "symbols of slavery."
Andaman and Nicobar Islands BJP Vice President Sanjay Kumar Singh also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the decision to rename Port Blair, as 'Sri Vijaya Puram' and dubbed the decision a testament to the government's commitment to preserving India's cultural heritage and honouring its freedom fighters.
He also praised the leadership and dedication of PM Modi and Shah in making this "historic gesture" a reality.