In a momentous step to uphold Indian cultural values and ethos, President Droupadi Murmu has bestowed new names upon two distinguished halls in Rashtrapati Bhavan. ‘Durbar Hall’ will now be known as ‘Ganatantra Mandap,’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ has been rechristened ‘Ashok Mandap.’ This decision, of profound significance, aligns with the ongoing efforts to infuse Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential residence and office, with the essence of India’s heritage and make it more accessible to the public.
Rashtrapati Bhavan issued a statement emphasizing the continuous endeavor to ensure the stately building mirrors Indian cultural values. The term ‘Durbar’ refers to the courts of Indian rulers and the British Raj, a concept that lost relevance when India became a republic. Thus, renaming ‘Durbar Hall’ to ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ appropriately reflects India’s republican values rooted in ancient societal concepts.
Similarly, ‘Ashok Hall,’ originally a ballroom, has been renamed ‘Ashok Mandap.’ The name ‘Ashok’ symbolizes freedom from suffering and is associated with Emperor Ashok, symbolizing unity and peaceful coexistence. The renaming aligns the hall’s name with its profound historical and cultural significance, removing traces of anglicization while upholding the values associated with the term ‘Ashok.’
This renaming is part of the current government’s broader initiative to shed colonial legacies and enhance the reflection of India’s rich cultural heritage in public institutions.
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