Decolonising India - The Modi Way
PM Narendra Modi was determined to erase India"s colonial past that was sustained even after India got Independence. Here are some of his efforts to decolonize India.
NewsBharati 17-Sep-2022 16:21:23 PM
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On 15th August 2022 while addressing the nation about his vision of 5Ps Panch Pran of AmritKaal, he introduced five pledges and one of them was "Remove any trace of colonial mindset". Though PM Modi conveyed these thoughts this year, he was taking steps in decolonising India since he was chosen as Prime Minister of India.
PM Narendra Modi was determined to erase India's colonial past that was sustained even after India got Independence. And this determination is being witnessed in the last eight years. Here are some of his efforts to decolonize India.
Andaman and Nicobar islands renamed that were earlier named after British officials
In 2018, PM Modi directed to rename three islands of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago as a tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The Ross Island was renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep. Some of these names were suggested by Netaji Subhash Chandra.
Presentation of the Budget on the First Day of February
Prior to 2014, the Budget was presented on the last day of February which was a sign of colonial-era. However, the Budget is now presented on the first day of February.
The Railway Budget Merged with the Annual Union Budget
In 2017, breaking the 92-year-old tradition started by the British, the Railway Budget was merged with the Union Budget. It ended a practice that began in 1924 under the British. Even after India got independence no leader that such development was required.
The Race Course Road renamed Lok Kalyan Marg
In 2016, the Race Course Road was renamed Lok Kalyan Marg. So now, the prime minister’s residence is at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
Over 1,500 Colonial-Era Laws Repealed
Since 2014, the Modi government has repealed more than 1500 old and obsolete laws. Most of these laws were remnants of the British era. For e.g. Under the Indian Motor Vehicles Act 1914, an inspector should have had wellbrushed teeth, and would have been disqualified if he or she had a pigeon chest, knock knees, flatfeet or hammer toes.
Another example - under the Indian Aircraft Act, 1934, kites were also aircraft and one needed to obtain a permit as required for flying a plane.
Usage of Regional Languages in NEP 2020
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been a proponent of teaching in mother tongue, as reflected in the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. This is a marked departure from the focus mainly being on English-based education, the wheels of which were set in motion during the British time.
The Beating 'Abide with Me' replaced with 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon'
The traditional Christian hymn Abide With Me was dropped for the first time since 1950 in this year’s Beating the Retreat ceremony on January 29 and replaced with the patriotic Hindi song Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon in order to Indianize the ceremony.
Rajpath to Kartavya Path
With an aim to shed the colonial past, PM Modi decided to rename ‘Rajpath’ as ‘Kartavya path’. The iconic Rajpath which hosts the Republic Day parade each year, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate and Central Vista lawns.
Rajpath, translated to English means ‘Kingsway’, which was given in honour of King George V, symbolised the “right to rule” rather than the “duty to serve”.
New Naval ensign
On September 2, 2022, PM Modi while commissioning of the country’s first indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, unveiled the new ensign (Nishaan) of Indian Navy that he said has ‘removed remaining traces of slavery and colonial past’ on the country’s warships by getting rid of St George’s cross and boosted the rich Indian maritime heritage.
The Cross of St George was removed from the Indian Navy’s ensign. It was Indianised with the tricolour on the upper canton and an emblem with a navy blue background enclosed in an octagon representing the royal seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Grand Statue Of Bose At The India Gate Canopy
In January 2022, PM Modi inaugurated the hologram statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate. Later, on September, a statue was installed in the canopy where the statue of King George V was earlier installed.
Anjali Ankad
Anjali Ankad has completed graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication and Masters in Journalism. While working as a sub-editor to Newsbharati, she aims to make her hand robust on sports.