Rajpath
is now Kartavya Path
The new name of New Delhi’s historic
Rajpath is ‘Kartavya Path’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
inaugurated Kartavya Path on 8 September 2022.
He also unveiled a statue of Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate, where a statue of King George V stood till
1968. Both events were in line with PM’s address to the nation on 76th
Independence Day when he highlighted removing all signs and symbols relating to
the colonial mindset.
What is Rajpath?
Rajpath is a ceremonial road in New
Delhi, India.
It runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan to
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
India Gate and Vijay Chowk are on
this road.
It is where the annual Republic Day
parade takes place on 26 January.
The history of Rajpath:
In 1911, the British Indian
Government decided to move the capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
The government appointed Edwin
Lutyens (a British Architect) to construct the new city (now known as New
Delhi), where all government offices were to be built.
He designed the city and offices
around a grand boulevard (road).
The road was named King’s Way (or
Kingsway) in honour of King George V, who visited Delhi in 1911.
After the Independence of India, the
road was given its Hindi name – ‘Rajpath’.
Rajpath in Hindi means ‘path of the
state (country or government)’.
However, some say it broadly means
‘path of the king’. Hence, it should be changed.
The newly developed Kartavya Path:
The name Kartavya Path in Hindi means
‘the path of duty’. Hence, it shows a change in the emphasis from rights to
duties.
However, it is not just the name
change.
The area has been redeveloped as part
of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project.
The newly developed Kartavya Path
exhibits beautified landscapes, lawns with walkways, added green spaces, new
amenity blocks, and improved parking spaces. Further, upgraded night lighting,
solid waste management, recycling of used water, and rainwater harvesting are
some other features that will enhance the public experience.
