In a significant administrative move, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose officially renamed Kolkata's iconic Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan on Saturday, marking the third name change in the historic building's prestigious history.
Historic Transformation Under Central Directive
The renaming comes as a direct implementation of a central government directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 25, 2025. The notification stated that all Raj Bhavan and Raj Niwas properties across the country would be uniformly renamed as Lok Bhavan and Lok Niwas respectively.
Governor Bose immediately put the directive into effect, with the changes taking force immediately on Saturday. The notification specifically covered three governor's holdings in West Bengal - the main Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, Flagstaff House in Barrackpore, and the Darjeeling property.
Architectural Marvel with Rich Heritage
The neo-classical building that houses Lok Bhavan stands as an architectural masterpiece with deep historical roots. Constructed between 1799 and 1803, the massive structure spans 84,000 square feet containing 60 rooms and sits on an expansive 27-acre plot in central Kolkata.
Interestingly, the building's design is an adaptation of Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire, England, which was originally built for Lord Scarsdale - the great-great-grandfather of Lord Curzon of Kedleston. This colonial-era gem has served as the Bengal governor's official residence and office for centuries.
Third Name Change in Building's History
This renaming represents the third significant name change for the prestigious address. Prior to India's independence, the building was known as Government House. Following independence in August 1947, it was renamed Raj Bhavan.
The most recent change before Saturday's announcement occurred on March 27, 2023, when President Droupadi Murmu handed a symbolic key of Raj Bhavan to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This ceremony, conducted at the request of the governor, heralded the concept of 'Jana Raj Bhavan' or People's Raj Bhavan.
Immediate Implementation and Philosophical Shift
A Lok Bhavan official confirmed that the transition has been comprehensive. Letterheads, name plates on gates, and the official website have all been updated to reflect the new name Lok Bhavan for all official purposes.
Governor Bose elaborated on the philosophical significance of the change in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He explained that the 'Jana Raj Bhavan' conceptualization was driven by the need to make the establishment more responsive to people's needs, aspirations, and challenges.
The governor emphasized that the imposing edifice should shed its aura of 'awe and fear' and become accessible to people from all walks of life. He noted that over the past three years, several constructive people-centric programs have been initiated from the historic premises.
This renaming marks another chapter in the continuous evolution of one of Kolkata's most significant historical landmarks, transforming it from a symbol of colonial power to a people-oriented institution while preserving its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
