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

S-400 Missile System India 2025

India has once again demonstrated its growing technological and strategic might with the effective deployment of the S-400 missile system, India 2025. This state-of-the-art air defence syst

Indian Rupee Fall 2025

The recent Indian Rupee fall 2025 has drawn major attention from economists, traders, and policymakers. Triggered by escalating India-Pakistan tensions under Operation Sindoor, this sharp depre

Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led the Ministry of Agriculture to start the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025, which is a big project. This Government agricultural awareness ca

Air Defence Activation India

In the wake of rising tensions along India's borders, particularly following Operation Sindoor, India's air defence system has been activated to safeguard its sovereignty. As part of the str

Operation Abhyaas 2025

Operation Abhyaas 2025 is a large-scale civil defence mock drill initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) across Delhi and multiple Indian states. This MHA civil defence operati

India’s Operation Sindoor

The recent Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, where 26 innocent civilians were killed in Baisaran Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, marked a tragic event that shook the nation. In retaliation

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Briefing

Rising as a potent emblem of bravery, skill, and equality in India's defense scene is Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an Indian Army officer. Her pivotal role in the media briefing on Operation Sindo

50% Reservation Cap Removal

The issue of 50% reservation cap removal has been a topic of ongoing debate in India, especially in light of recent developments regarding the caste census. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge

WAVES Summit India 2025

More than 77 nations gathered at the WAVES Summit India, which was a component of the Global Media Dialogue, to talk about the future of the media and entertainment sector. The summit addressed m

Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996

The Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 is among India's most landmark statutes regarding the settlement of disputes, especially those involving business matters. It aims to be a good subst