Invitations for a dinner to be hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Bharat Mandapam on September 9th, as part of the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi, have been distributed under the title 'President of Bharat' instead of the customary 'President of India.’ While this unconventional presidential invitation garnered criticism from senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma voiced his support for referring to India as the "Republic of Bharat."
Ramesh acknowledged the news on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "So the news is indeed true. Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out an invite for a G20 dinner on Sept 9th in the name of 'President of Bharat' instead of the usual 'President of India'."
This development comes in the context of a special session of Parliament scheduled for September 18-22, where there is widespread speculation that a proposal is being prepared to amend the Constitution by removing the word 'India.' It's worth noting that there have been calls from certain quarters within the ruling establishment to eliminate "India, that is Bharat" from Article 1 of the Constitution, advocating for the use of only the word 'Bharat.'
Just two days ago, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Mohan Bhagwat advocated for referring to 'India' as 'Bharat.'
"We should all cease using the term 'India' and instead adopt 'Bharat.' Our nation has been known as 'Bharat' for centuries. Regardless of the language, the name remains unchanged," he stated.
While there is a lot of ruckus around the speculation of GOI planning to amend the constitution by removing the word ‘India’, it should be well noted that the word Bharat and its usage in common man’s dialect and lives have been pretty visible and for the longest time. So much so that it ranges from government schemes, bollywood movies to Indian political movements. Have a look:
a) Bharat: It's worth noting that from a geographical perspective, the region now known as India has not remained a constant entity throughout preceding centuries. The earliest recorded name, subject to ongoing debate, is believed to be 'Bharat,' 'Bharata,' or 'Bharatvarsha,' which is also one of the two names mentioned in the Indian constitution.
b) Bharat Jodo Yatra: The "Bharat Jodo Yatra," translated as the "Unite India March," was a large-scale initiative organized by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. This movement aimed to bring the nation together in response to what the INC perceived as the "divisive politics" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The primary goal of this movement was to oppose political strategies characterized by "fear, bigotry, and prejudice," as well as economic policies associated with the loss of livelihoods, rising unemployment, and growing income inequality.
c) Vande Bharat: The Express, often referred to as Train 18, represents a semi-high-speed railway project overseen and maintained by the Indian Railways. These trains, known as Vande Bharat Express, feature advanced domestic 'Kavach' Technology, which incorporates a Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). The Central government has set an ambitious goal of having 75 Vande Bharat Express trains in operation by India's 75th Independence Day in August 2023. By steadily introducing these trains, there is optimism that this target can be met.
d) Bharat movie: "Bharat" which translates to "India," is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language drama film written and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. This film is an adaptation of the South Korean drama "Ode to My Father" (2014) and narrates the post-independence history of India from the viewpoint of an ordinary man. It depicts his life journey from the age of 8 to 70.
e) Bharat Chhodo (Quit India Movement): The Quit India Movement, also known as the Bharat Chhodo Andolan, was a significant movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942, during World War II. This movement aimed to bring an end to British rule in India.
Following the failure of the British to secure Indian support for their war effort with the Cripps Mission, Gandhi delivered his famous Quit India speech on 9 August 1942 at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, where he called upon the people to "Do or Die."
f) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched by the Government of India on 2nd October 2014, is a nationwide campaign aimed at eradicating open defecation, enhancing solid waste management practices, and establishing Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages. This program also seeks to raise awareness about menstrual health management. It is a modified and restructured version of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, which was initiated in 2009 but did not achieve its intended objectives.
g) AatmaNirbhar Bharat: "Atmanirbhar Bharat," which translates to 'self-reliant India,' is a term that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government have employed and promoted in the context of India's economic development strategies. This phrase serves as a comprehensive concept encompassing the Modi government's vision for India to assume a greater role in the global economy while also becoming more efficient, competitive, and resilient.
h) Ayushman Bharat: The Ayushman Bharat is a national public health insurance initiative launched by the Government of India. Its primary objective is to offer free access to health insurance coverage for low-income individuals in the country. Approximately, the scheme is designed to benefit the bottom 50% of the population. Under this program, beneficiaries have access to primary care services through a family doctor.
I) Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat: The 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative was unveiled by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on October 31, 2015, during the celebration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 140th birth anniversary. This innovative program aims to foster a deeper understanding and connection between the various states and Union Territories of India by promoting knowledge about their diverse cultures, traditions, and practices. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to strengthen the unity and integrity of India by enhancing the bond among its states.
J) Atulya Bharat: "Incredible India," or "Atulya Bharat", is the official tourism slogan and branding campaign used by the Government of India to promote tourism in the country. It showcases the incredible and diverse cultural, historical, natural, and architectural treasures that India has to offer to domestic and international tourists. This campaign aims to attract visitors by highlighting India's rich heritage, stunning landscapes, vibrant traditions, and a wide range of tourist destinations.
