President Droupadi Murmu attended the ‘Rajaji Utsav’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and revealed the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, India’s first Governor-General. The new bust, replacing Edwin Lutyens’ statue, signifies a shift towards embracing India’s culture and honoring its rich heritage.
This move reflects a national initiative to move past colonial influences and acknowledge Indian leaders who shaped the nation’s history. Rajagopalachari, also known as Rajaji, was a key freedom fighter and statesman who served as India’s last Governor-General from 1948 to 1950.
Notable attendees included Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Foreign Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and other dignitaries. The event highlighted the government’s commitment to honoring national figures and preserving India’s cultural identity in key institutions.
