The Central government has decided to rename the Prime Minister‘s office or the PMO. It will now be known as seva teerth. For decades, the PMO has operated from the South Block, but it will soon be shifted.
The name change comes along with the change of building. The Central government has already instructed state governments to rename Raj Bhavans as Lok Bhavans. Residences of Lt Governors will now be called Lok Niwas instead of Raj Niwas.
The Modi government believes the word Raj carries a colonial tone. These changes have been recommended to help shed the colonial legacy. West Bengal and Ladakh have already updated the names after receiving letters from the Centre.
The NDA government has been promoting Indian equivalents to old British Raj terms. Many Indian citizens are also seeking a stronger Indian identity. This sentiment has grown due to hate crimes against NRIs, Trumps visa regulations, and Operation Sindoor.
The government feels the new names reflect the cultural and national sentiment of the people. The move is seen as a step toward reinforcing an Indian identity across governance spaces.
