- President Droupadi Murmu has renamed two significant halls at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Durbar Hall is now Ganatantra Mandap (Republic Hall), and Ashok Hall is now Ashok Mandap.
- Durbar Hall, a venue for key ceremonies and national awards, has been renamed to reflect India’s republican values.
- The term ‘Durbar’ refers to assemblies of Indian rulers and the British, losing relevance after India became a Republic (Ganatantra).
- The concept of Ganatantra has been deeply rooted in Indian society since ancient times, making Ganatantra Mandap an appropriate name.
- Originally a ballroom, Ashok Hall’s renaming maintains its symbolic significance. ‘Ashok’ signifies being free from suffering and sorrow and refers to Emperor Ashok, a symbol of unity and peaceful coexistence.
- The National Emblem of India is the lion capital of Ashok from Sarnath.
- Renaming these halls aims to bring uniformity in language, remove traces of anglicisation, and uphold the values associated with Ashok.
Dig Deeper: Read about various renaming initiatives like Mughal Garden to Amrit Udyan and Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg.
