Sri Vijaya Puram, Sep 18: The Chairman of Congress Campaign Committee, A&N Islands Mr. TSG Bhasker has expressed his deep concerns regarding the recent decision of the Central Government to change the name of Port Blair City to Sri Vijaya Puram.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of India on Wednesday, Mr. Bhasker stated that the name Port Blair carries a significant amount of emotional weight among the Islanders and for many it is not just a location but a symbol of shared identity which has been a part of their lives for generations.
He highlighted that the Port Blair City was named after Captain Archibald Blair, a Naval Surveyor who came to the Islands in the year 1788 for surveying and exploring remote regions in the Islands and had no role in the colonial rule in Islands. His survey led to Penal Settlement in these Islands. Then onwards the people are living in these Islands and their future generations have been using the name of Port Blair for all purposes. Even in all essential documents like land papers, property papers, school/college certificates, Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, Voter Card, Islander Card, Passport etc. the name of Port Blair is being used. Now changing it all of a sudden will hamper the lives of lakhs of people residing in our Islands as they have to Queue up in various offices to change the name.
“There is a growing frustration among the Islanders with the Central Government’s apparent focus on renaming cities rather than addressing pressing developmental needs such as good roads, education, healthcare, and public services and this renaming of City seems to divert attention from the critical issues that require immediate and substantial action”, said Mr. Bhasker.
He added that the Andaman & Nicobar Administration headed by the Lt. Governor has given this proposal to the Home Ministry without any consent of the General Public and without any information. It has also come to our knowledge that few elected representatives were made to sign in the proposal document without giving them proper information. Now these elected representatives are too objecting to this change of name.
“The name Port Blair was quite popular and attractive among the tourist population who used to come to our Islands eagerly to discover the place. But the new name Sri Vijaya Puram does not seem to be an eye catching name and it will surely affect the tourism sector in our Islands significantly in the coming days”, emphasized Mr. Bhasker
Hence, he urged the Prime Minister to reconsider their decision of renaming the City of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram and urged to at least involve the community in a more comprehensive dialogue before implementing such a significant change.
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