One of the best halls of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall, which are two of the most preferred ceremonial functions venues, have been given a new name, Gantantra Mandap and Ashok Mandap, respectively.
The Durbar hall which has been the venue of the presentation of many national awards were held, while talking about the Ashok Hall it was originally a ballroom. In an official statement, the government notified that ‘durbar’, meaning was simple and reasonable during the assemblies and dominance of Indian rulers and the British Empire, but now, after a lot of years of being independent and a republic, the word durbar has lost its impact and importance after India became a ‘republic—'Ganatantra’.
“The concept of 'Ganatantra' has been deeply rooted in Indian society since ancient times, making 'Ganatantra Mandap' an apt name for the venue," the statement added.
While addressing the renaming of Ashoka Hall, the government of India said that the name ‘Ashok Manda’ symbolizes “uniformity in language and removes the traces of anglicization” while maintaining the fundamental principles associated with the word ‘Ashok.’
“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 coexistence. 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," the statement added.
Mainly, the government wanted to prefer a word that could uphold the dignity and responsibility of Indian culture and tradition. It also has resemblance, as the National Emblem of the Republic of India is the lion capital of Ashok from Sarnath and also resembles the royal Emperor 'Ashoka’ who was a symbol and representative of unity and peaceful co-existence and teaches the value of culture, art, and tradition.
In a statement from the Rashtrapati Bhawan, it was notified that the "Rashtrapati Bhavan, the office and residence of the President of India, is a symbol of the nation and an invaluable heritage of the people. Continuous efforts are being made to make it more accessible to people. There has been a consistent endeavor to make the ambience of the Rashtrapati Bhavan reflective of Indian cultural values and ethos.”
Accordingly, President Droupadi Murmu is pleased to rename two of the important halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan—namely, ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall'—as ' ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap', respectively,” it added. The major change in the renaming of the two famous halls of Rashtrapati Bhawan has captured the limelight of the general public of India.