New Delhi: The iconic Rajpath, a stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, has now been renamed as ‘Kartavya Path’. In the colonial era, the stretch was named Kingsway i.e. King’s Path, in the honor of King George V of Britain after the historic ‘Delhi Durbar’ held in 1911.

After the independence, the administration renamed the road as a mere Hindi translation of its previous name i.e. Rajpath.

The central government’s argument behind the recent name change is ‘breaking free from the symbol of colonial slavery, with Kartavya Path being an example of public ownership and empowerment.

On recently concluded Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls on his fellow citizens from the ramparts of the Red Fort to ‘liberate from every thought of slavery’.

PM had announced the Pancha Prana of developed India, freedom from every thought of slavery, pride in heritage, unity, and fulfillment of duties on behalf of citizens. The impression of the same vow is visible regarding the naming of Rajpath.

However, this isn’t the first time the government has made an impression to get rid of the symbols of colonial rule and mindset. Earlier the administration had renamed the Race Course Road, on which the PM residence is situated, as Lok Kalyan Marg.

Later, PM Modi had unveiled the hologram statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at the India Gate on the same place where the statue of King George V stood till 1968.

During the commissioning of INS Vikrant, St George’s Cross was dropped from the naval flag and a new Naval ensign was unveiled by PM Modi last week.