President Droupadi Murmu on Monday graced the ‘Rajaji Utsav’ at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and unveiled the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, India’s first and only Indian Governor-General, within the Rashtrapati Bhavan premises.
In a post on X, the President stated that the bust of Rajagopalachari, placed at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap, replaces the bust of Edwin Lutyens.
She described the initiative as part of a series of steps aimed at shedding the vestiges of a colonial mindset and embracing, with pride, the richness of India’s culture, heritage and timeless traditions.
She emphasised that it honours those who served Bharat Mata with exceptional dedication and contribution.
The unveiling ceremony represents a broader national effort to move beyond colonial-era symbols and recognise eminent Indian leaders who played defining roles in shaping the country’s destiny.
Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, was a distinguished freedom fighter, statesman and scholar. He served as the last Governor-General of India from 1948 to 1950, becoming the only Indian to hold that office.
The replacement of the bust of Edwin Lutyens, the British architect associated with the design of New Delhi, carries symbolic significance within the Republic’s highest constitutional residence.
The move further reflects a continued effort to reaffirm India’s civilisational identity within key national institutions.
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Jagat Prakash Nadda, S Jaishankar, Dharmendra Pradhan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and L Murugan attended the ceremony, along with members of Rajaji’s family.
The Vice President described the unveiling as another milestone in moving beyond colonial legacies.
The installation honours Rajagopalachari’s legacy and reinforces the nation’s commitment to celebrating its own leaders and heritage.
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