President Droupadi Murmu renames two of the important halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan – namely, ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ – as ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’ respectively: Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/2q6F5ZdVaq
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence and office of the President of India, stands as a national symbol and a treasured heritage. Efforts are continuously made to enhance its accessibility and reflect Indian cultural values.
President Droupadi Murmu has decided to rename two key halls in Rashtrapati Bhavan: ‘Durbar Hall’ will now be called ‘Ganatantra Mandap,’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ will be renamed ‘Ashok Mandap.’
‘Durbar Hall’ is known for hosting significant events, such as National Awards ceremonies. The term ‘Durbar’ refers to historical courts of Indian and British rulers, which became outdated after India became a Republic. ‘Ganatantra,’ meaning Republic, aligns with the values of modern India, making ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ a fitting name.
‘Ashok Hall,’ originally a ballroom, is named after Emperor Ashok, a symbol of unity and peace. The term ‘Ashok’ signifies someone free from suffering and also represents the Ashok tree, significant in Indian tradition and culture. Renaming it ‘Ashok Mandap’ aligns with Indian values and removes the influence of English, while preserving the essence of the name.
