Port Blair to be Renamed Sri Vijaya Puram: A Move to Erase Colonial Echoes

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will be renamed Sri Vijaya Puram. This decision is part of a broader effort to “free the nation from colonial imprints,” Shah explained. In a post on X, he emphasized that while the current name carries colonial connotations, the new name, Sri Vijaya Puram, represents the triumph of India's freedom struggle and acknowledges the Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ pivotal role in that struggle. 

Shah further highlighted the strategic importance of the islands, which historically served as a naval base for the Chola Empire and are now envisioned as a key element in India’s strategic and developmental plans. Port Blair, named after British naval surveyor Archibald Blair, will henceforth be known as Sri Vijaya Puram, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to remove colonial legacies.

The Origin of Port Blair’s Name

Port Blair, the gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was named after Archibald Blair, a lieutenant in the Bombay Marine. Blair conducted a thorough survey of the islands after joining the Bombay Marine in 1771. His expedition, which began in December 1778, was crucial in mapping the Andaman Islands. Initially, Blair named the natural harbor Port Cornwallis, in honor of Commodore William Cornwallis. Later, the harbor was renamed Port Blair.

Blair’s survey was highly valued by the East India Company (EIC), leading to the islands’ colonization. The primary motivation was to create a secure harbor to monitor Malay pirates and provide refuge for shipwrecked individuals. Over time, the islands were established as a penal colony, receiving numerous convicts who performed forced labor.

In 1792, the EIC relocated the colony to Port Cornwallis, but it was soon abandoned due to disease and high mortality rates. The Revolt of 1857 brought an influx of prisoners, leading to the reestablishment of Port Blair as a penal colony. The harsh conditions led to numerous deaths, and the area became notorious for its brutal treatment of prisoners, including freedom fighters like Veer Damodar Savarkar. The infamous Cellular Jail, or Kaala Paani, was built by 1906 to house political prisoners.

Historical Significance of the Andaman Islands

Historical records indicate that the Andaman Islands were strategically significant during the 11th century, particularly for the Chola Empire under Emperor Rajendra I. The islands were used as a naval base in the Chola campaign against Srivijaya, a kingdom in present-day Indonesia. An inscription from Thanjavur dating to 1050 CE refers to the islands as Ma-Nakkavaram land, which may have influenced the modern name Nicobar.

Historian Herman Kulke, in his book "Nagapattinam to Suvarnadwipa," describes the Chola invasion of Srivijaya as a notable event, reflecting the complex interactions between India and Southeast Asia. Various scholars offer differing interpretations of the invasion, ranging from a response to trade disruptions to an extension of Chola expansionism.

In summary, the renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram represents a significant shift in recognizing the historical and strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, aligning with India's broader goals of addressing colonial legacies and honoring its rich history.

Why is it in the News?

April 1, 2004, marked a significant moment in India's fight against HIV/AIDS as Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) was introduced for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).

Context:

• April 1, 2004, stands as a landmark moment in India's approach to addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) was introduced for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).
• This initiative, conceived in response to the pressing issues of access and affordability, has emerged as a crucial intervention in the fight against the disease.
• As we commemorate this day, it is imperative to delve into the progression and significance of India's free ART program, shedding light on its transformative impact on the nation's response to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

HIV/AIDS's Emergence and Initial Challenges:

• Inception of a Global Health Crisis: The emergence of HIV/AIDS in the early 1980s signaled the onset of a widespread health emergency with profound implications for populations worldwide.
  • Originally detected among groups in the United States, the disease swiftly traversed borders, reaching nations like India and beyond.
  • This era was characterized by uncertainty, anxiety, and a lack of comprehension regarding the novel virus, initially dubbed GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency), later renamed HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and its associated illness AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
• Absence of Effective Treatments Resulting in Dire Consequences: During the initial stages of the epidemic, HIV/AIDS was synonymous with a dire prognosis, largely due to the absence of viable treatment options.
  • Marginalized communities, including men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, and commercial sex workers, bore the brunt of the disease's impact.
  • However, as time progressed, it became evident that HIV/AIDS transcended boundaries of gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, affecting individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Pervasive Social Stigma: In addition to its grave health implications, HIV/AIDS precipitated significant social stigma and discrimination.
  • Individuals living with HIV/AIDS encountered marginalization, employment loss, and social exclusion from both their communities and families.
  • This pervasive stigma compounded the challenges associated with managing HIV/AIDS and impeded effective epidemic control efforts.
• Limited Treatment Accessibility and Exorbitant Costs of Available ART: Despite the escalating recognition of HIV/AIDS as a global health threat, access to treatment remained scant, particularly in low- and middle-income nations such as India.
  • The approval of the first antiretroviral drug, AZT (zidovudine), by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) in March 1987 marked a significant milestone.
  • HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) represented a breakthrough in disease management, combining multiple antiretroviral drugs to suppress viral replication and bolster immune response.
• However, the exorbitant expenses associated with HAART, reaching up to $10,000 annually per patient, rendered it inaccessible to the majority of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, especially those residing in resource-constrained settings.

The Introduction of Free ART in India and its Impact:

• In response to the pressing issues of limited access and affordability of HIV/AIDS treatment, the Indian government embarked on a significant initiative.
• On April 1, 2004, the government initiated the provision of Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).
• The introduction of Free ART aimed to dismantle barriers to treatment and extend life-saving medication to all PLHIV, irrespective of their financial means.
• By offering ART at no cost, the government endeavored to ensure that access to treatment would not be hindered by financial constraints, thereby addressing a crucial gap in healthcare accessibility.

Its Role in Curbing the Epidemic

• Enhanced Treatment Accessibility: Over the past two decades, the initiative has undergone substantial expansion, witnessing a surge in the number of ART centers from less than 10 to approximately 700, catering to around 1.8 million PLHIV.
  • This proliferation has facilitated heightened treatment access for individuals living with HIV/AIDS nationwide, including those residing in remote and underserved regions.
  • A notable outcome of the Free ART endeavor has been the remarkable enhancement in health outcomes observed among PLHIV.
• Significant Reduction in Mortality Risk and Transmission Rates: Timely and effective treatment accessibility has transfigured HIV/AIDS from a dire prognosis to a manageable chronic ailment for many.
  • By suppressing viral load and bolstering immune response, ART has not only extended the lifespan of PLHIV but also augmented their quality of life.
  • Moreover, the Free ART initiative has played a pivotal role in curbing HIV transmission rates by ensuring treatment access for PLHIV, thereby thwarting virus dissemination within communities.
  • Research indicates that efficacious ART can substantially mitigate HIV transmission risk, contributing to the overall decline in HIV prevalence.
• Broader Societal Benefits: Beyond its direct impact on individuals grappling with HIV/AIDS, the Free ART initiative has yielded wider societal advantages.
  • By mitigating the disease burden and forestalling fresh infections, the initiative has alleviated the societal and economic repercussions of HIV/AIDS on families, communities, and healthcare systems.
• Supplementary Measures and Patient-Centric Approach: The success of India's ART program extends beyond free medication provision.
  • Complementary initiatives, such as complimentary diagnostic services, prevention of parent-to-child transmission programs, and management of opportunistic infections, have played pivotal roles in curbing the HIV epidemic.
• Furthermore, the program has adopted a patient-centric strategy, furnishing stable PLHIV with two to three months' worth of medicines to minimize clinic visits and enhance treatment adherence.

Challenges and Future Prospects:

• Delayed Initiation and Attrition in Care: A notable portion of patients presents with advanced HIV illness, evidenced by low CD4 counts, impacting treatment efficacy.
  • Furthermore, attrition in care remains a concern, as some patients discontinue treatment upon feeling well, leading to interruptions and potential drug resistance development.
• Logistical Hurdles and Infrastructure Deficiencies: Remote and underserved regions, including those with rugged terrain, encounter hurdles in accessing vital medications and healthcare provisions.
  • Fortifying the logistical network and infrastructure for dispensing ART drugs is imperative to sustain uninterrupted treatment access for all PLHIV.
• Involvement of the Private Sector: While the public sector assumes a pivotal role in HIV/AIDS treatment provision, fostering collaboration with the private sector is crucial.
  • Leveraging the resources and infrastructure of private healthcare entities can expand ART accessibility and reach marginalized populations, including urban dwellers.
• Interconnected Health Program Integration: Augmenting integration with other health initiatives, encompassing hepatitis, non-communicable ailments, and mental health, holds paramount importance.
  • Given PLHIV's propensity for concurrent ailments, comprehensive and integrated healthcare services necessitate intersectoral collaboration within the healthcare spectrum.
• Realization of Ambitious NACP Phase 5 Objectives: The ongoing fifth phase of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) sets forth ambitious targets, envisaging an 80% reduction in annual new HIV infections and AIDS-related mortalities by 2025.
  • Achieving these milestones demands concerted endeavors to escalate testing, enhance treatment coverage, and secure viral suppression among PLHIV.

Conclusion

India's free ART initiative has successfully combated HIV/AIDS, demonstrating the power of accessible healthcare. Its achievements emphasize the importance of political will, funding, community engagement, and patient-centered care in tackling infectious diseases. Lessons from this program will guide future public health endeavors, improving outcomes for all