Historic Name Change for Kolkata's Iconic Building
In a significant move that reflects a shift in symbolic governance, the historic Raj Bhavan in Kolkata was officially renamed Lok Bhavan on Saturday. The change was implemented by West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, who personally oversaw the proceedings, including the removal of the old name plaque.
Central Directive and Official Notification
The renaming follows a formal communication from the Union Home Ministry. A notification issued on November 25, 2025, first outlined the central government's intention to rename all Raj Bhavans and Raj Niwas across the country to Lok Bhavan and Lok Niwas, respectively.
Governor Bose formally issued the state notification, stating, "In pursuance of the communication from The Ministry of Home Affairs... the name of the holdings of 'Raj Bhavan' in Kolkata, Flagstaff House and Darjeeling, has hereby been modified and renamed as 'Lok Bhavan'. This Notification comes into force with immediate effect."
A Shift from 'Raj' to 'Lok'
Explaining the philosophy behind the change, Governor Bose connected it to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized that the move is "in tune with the transformational and inspirational leadership" that ensures public participation in the nation's progress towards 'Viksit Bharat'.
The term 'Raj Bhavan', which translates to 'Governor's House', is being replaced by 'Lok Bhavan', meaning 'People's House'. According to sources, Governor Bose himself had suggested this replacement, arguing that the institution ultimately belongs to the citizens. The proposal reportedly gained unanimous support from Governors across various states before receiving the Centre's formal approval.
Governor Connects with the Public
Following the official name change ceremony, Governor Bose was seen embracing the spirit of the 'Lok Bhavan'. He visited the Victoria Memorial, where he engaged freely with the public. His interactions included distributing chocolates to children, posing for photographs with citizens, and even enjoying a cup of tea at a roadside stall, embodying the new people-centric identity of the institution.
This uniform renaming across India marks a pivotal moment in redefining the relationship between the seat of the Governor and the people it serves, moving from a symbol of authority to one of accessibility.
