Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan announced the unveiling of C. Rajagopalachari’s bust at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing Edwin Lutyens’s bust during the ‘Rajaji Utsav’. This change signifies a step towards shedding colonial influences, reflecting India’s ongoing transformation across various sectors. Radhakrishnan highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of breaking free from colonial mindsets that have shaped the country’s institutions and attitudes.
The Vice-President emphasized that this shift is not merely symbolic but is backed by concrete actions. Various initiatives have been implemented, such as transforming Raj Bhavans into Lok Bhavans and renaming the Central Secretariat as Kartavya Bhavan. These changes aim to reflect the spirit of service and eliminate colonial vestiges from public consciousness.
Radhakrishnan praised the efforts undertaken at Rashtrapati Bhavan under President Droupadi Murmu’s leadership. Initiatives like opening the gardens as Amrit Udyan and inaugurating ‘Granth Kutir’, a library of Indian classical languages, are part of this transformative process. These steps are crucial in strengthening India’s civilizational confidence and erasing the colonial imprint from the nation’s psyche.
Describing the Rajaji Utsav as a fitting tribute to C. Rajagopalachari, the Vice-President lauded his significant contributions to India’s history. Rajagopalachari’s multifaceted brilliance as a lawyer, freedom fighter, statesman, politician, and writer was acknowledged, emphasizing his exceptional talent and advocacy for economic freedom. The Vice-President expressed optimism that Rajaji’s life and principles would continue to inspire citizens to uphold strong values and prioritize the nation’s welfare.
