From Kingsway to Kartavya Path: How PM Modi is shedding colonial baggage | 5 points
India Today
The rechristening of Kingsway to Kartavya Path was only the latest in a series of endeavours by PM Modi to move away from the nation’s colonial past.
The Modi government on Monday announced its decision to rename Rajpath and Centre Vista lawns, stretching from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate in New Delhi, as Kartavya Path.
Rajpath was known as Kingsway during British Rule. The Centre said the move was designed with the objective of "shedding remnants" of the colonial yoke, a work in progress even after 75 years of independence.
The rechristening was only the latest in a series of endeavours by PM Modi to move away from the nation’s colonial past. Here’s a recap:
The shift began right at the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, with the renaming of Race Course Road, where the Prime Minister’s official residence is located, to Lok Kalyan Marg in 2016.
The British-era Race Course Road was named after the Delhi race course, part of the Delhi Race Club, which was established in 1940. The iconic road was renamed after BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi wrote to the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, suggesting the name of the road on which the PM lives should be changed to "match the Indian culture".
Days later, the Prime Minister’s address changed from 7, Race Course Road to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
On the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on January 23 this year, PM Modi unveiled a hologram statue of the freedom fighter at India Gate in New Delhi.
