President Droupadi Murmu has renamed two significant halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan – ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ – as ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’ respectively. This change aims to align the ambience of Rashtrapati Bhavan with Indian cultural values and ethos.
Rashtrapati Bhavan, which serves as the office and residence of the President of India, is a symbol of the nation and a heritage site for the people. Efforts are ongoing to make it more accessible and reflective of Indian culture. The term 'Durbar' originally referred to the courts of Indian rulers and the British Raj, which lost relevance when India became a republic. Thus, ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ is seen as a more fitting name, as 'Ganatantra' means 'republic,' a concept deeply rooted in Indian history.
'Ashok Hall' was historically a ballroom. The name 'Ashok' carries significant meaning, referring to being free from sorrow and to Emperor Ashok, who symbolizes unity and peaceful coexistence. The National Emblem of India, the lion capital of Ashok from Sarnath, and the Ashok tree, which holds religious and cultural importance in India, further reinforce the relevance of the name ‘Ashok Mandap’. This renaming removes traces of anglicisation and upholds the values associated with the word 'Ashok'.
