• Source:JND
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President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday announced the renaming of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’- as ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’, respectively. The decision was taken to make the ambience of the stately building reflect Indian cultural values and ethos.

“‘Durbar Hall’ is the venue of important ceremonies and celebrations such as the presentation of National Awards. The term ‘Durbar’ refers to courts and assemblies of Indian rulers and the British. It lost relevance after India became a Republic, that is, ‘Ganatantra’. The concept of ‘Ganatantra’ is deeply rooted in Indian society since ancient times, making ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ an apt name for the venue,” reads a press release by the President’s Secretariat.

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“‘Ashok Hall’ was originally a ballroom. The word ‘Ashok’ connotes someone who is “free from all sufferings” or is “bereft of any sorrow”. Also, ‘Ashoka’ refers to Emperor Ashok, a symbol of unity and peaceful co-existence. The National Emblem of the Republic of India is the lion capital of Ashok from Sarnath. The word also refers to the Ashok tree which has deep significance in Indian religious traditions as well as arts and culture. Renaming ‘Ashok Hall’ as ‘Ashok Mandap’ brings uniformity in language and removes the traces of anglicisation while upholding the key values associated with the word ‘Ashok’,” it further added.

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Reacting to the development, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a jibe at the Narendra Modi-led government and said the concept of "shahenshah (king)" still exists in the country. "There is no concept of Durbar but there is a concept of Shahenshah," she said.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan declared in January last year that it was renaming the ancient Mughal Gardens ‘a common name’ of ‘Amrit Udyan’, just a day before the historic Mughal Gardens was to open to the public for the season. Deputy Press Secretary to the President Navika Gupta stated, “On the occasion of the celebration of 75 years of Independence as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the President of India has given a common name to the Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens as Amrit Udyan.”