Rashtrapati Bhavan: Renaming Halls for a New India

Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence and office of the President of India, has been renamed to reflect Indian cultural values and ethos. The decision was made by President Droupadi Murmu. The renaming of two halls in Rashtrapati Bhavan, 'Durbar Hall' and 'Ashok Hall' into 'Ganatantra Mandap' and 'Ashok Mandap'.

Renaming of Iconic Halls

President Droupadi Murmu approved renaming two halls in Rashtrapati Bhavan:
- 'Durbar Hall' renamed to 'Ganatantra Mandap'
- 'Ashok Hall' renamed to 'Ashok Mandap'

Rationale for renaming:

- Remove traces of colonialism
- Indianise the symbol of modern India
- Reflect Indian cultural values and ethos

Ganatantra Mandap (formerly Durbar Hall):

Hosts important ceremonies and celebrations, including National Awards presentations
'Durbar' (Persian) referred to courts and assemblies of Kings
'Ganatantra' means Republic in Hindi, signifying democratic rule
Name change reflects India's transition to a republic on January 26, 1950

Ashok Mandap (formerly Ashok Hall):

Originally a ballroom during British rule
Renaming brings uniformity to language and removes traces of English colonialism
'Ashok' symbolizes freedom from suffering and refers to Emperor Ashoka
Reflects the significance of the Ashoka tree in Indian culture and traditions

Rashtrapati Bhavan: A Symbol of Modern India

Official residence and office of the President of India

Construction history:

- Announced during 1911 Delhi Durbar by King George V
- Designed by British architect Edward Lutyen
- Built between 1912-1929 as Viceroy's House
- First occupied by Viceroy Lord Irwin in 1929

Post-independence changes:

- Renamed 'Government House' on August 15, 1947
- Later renamed 'Rashtrapati Bhavan' during Dr. Rajendra Prasad's presidency

Key features:

- H-shaped building on a 330-acre estate
- 340 rooms, 2.5 kilometers of corridors
- 190 acres of garden area (formerly Mughal Gardens, now Amrit Udyan)

President Droupadi Murmu and Recent Initiatives

15th President of India, sworn in on July 25, 2022

Notable achievements:

- Second woman President after Pratibha Patil
- First tribal woman President
- Youngest President at 64 years old

Background:

- Born into a Santhal tribal family in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district

Recent initiatives:

- Renaming of halls to reflect Indian values
- Efforts to make Rashtrapati Bhavan more accessible to the public
- Mughal Gardens renamed "Amrit Udyan" in early 2023 to commemorate 75 years of independence

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