look news india
New Delhi, 25 July (HS). The 'Darbar Hall' and 'Ashok Hall' located in Rashtrapati Bhavan have been renamed as 'Ganatantra Mandap' and 'Ashok Mandap' respectively.
According to an official press release issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the office and residence of the President, is a symbol of the nation and a priceless heritage of the people. Continuous efforts are being made to make it more accessible to the people. Continuous efforts have been made to make the ambiance of Rashtrapati Bhavan a reflection of Indian cultural values and ethos.
Accordingly, President Draupadi Murmu is pleased to rename two important halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan namely 'Darbar Hall' and 'Ashok Hall' as 'Ganatantra Mandap' and 'Ashoka Mandap' respectively.
The release said that the 'Darbar Hall' is the venue for important ceremonies and celebrations such as the presentation of national awards. The word 'Darbar' refers to the courts and meetings of Indian rulers and the British. It lost its relevance after India became a republic, i.e. after 'Ganatantra'. The concept of 'Ganatantra' is deeply rooted in Indian society since ancient times, so 'Ganatantra Mandap' is an apt name for this venue.
The 'Ashoka Hall' was originally a ballroom. The word 'Ashoka' means a person who is “free from all suffering” or “devoid of any sorrow”. Also, 'Ashoka' refers to Emperor Ashoka, a symbol of unity and peaceful coexistence. The national emblem of the Republic of India is the Lion Capital of Ashoka from Sarnath. The word also refers to the Ashoka tree which has deep significance in Indian religious traditions as well as art and culture. Renaming 'Ashoka Hall' to 'Ashoka Mandap' brings uniformity in language and removes traces of anglicization, while retaining the core values associated with the word 'Ashoka'.
