PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates The Newly Renamed 'Kartavya Path'

Shift From "Rajpath" to "Kartavyapath" Removes All Colonial Vestiges

Less than a month after he urged the country to remove all vestiges of colonialism from India on Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly renamed Kartavya Path, a stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate following a formal decision taken at a special meeting of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The transformation signifies a shift from Rajpath, which before stood for power, to Kartavya Path, which today stands for public ownership and empowerment. Rajpath and the surrounding districts of Central Vista Avenue have seen pressure from escalating visitor traffic over time, placing stress on its infrastructure. The change from "Rajpath" to "Kartavyapath" serves as a reminder that the goal of public service is "responsibility to serve" rather than "right to govern."

The History of Rajpath 

Previously, Janpath was called Queensway and Rajpath was called Kingsway. While Kingsway was simply translated into Hindi as Rajpath, Queensway was renamed as Janpath. Rajpath and surrounding Central Vista Avenue neighbourhoods have struggled with an increase in visitor traffic over the years. There were no basic services like public restrooms, drinking water, street furniture, or enough parking. The confusion was exacerbated by insufficient signage, poorly maintained water features, and careless parking. Additionally, a larger, well-planned venue was required for national events to be held in a less obtrusive way with few constraints on the general public's freedom of movement. While preserving the integrity and consistency of the neighbourhood's architectural heritage, the renovation intends to address all these problems.

New Kartavya Path

The redeveloped stretch, which is regarded as the most well-liked public space in the city, features stepped gardens, more than 113 light poles along the Kartavya Path (previously known as Rajpath), 4,087 trees, and red granite walkways covering approximately 1.1 lakh square metres with greenery all around. The ambitious Central Vista redevelopment plan of the Modi administration is now complete with this project as its initial accomplishment. An initiative to make Central Vista more pedestrian-friendly around-the-clock included installing more than 900 light poles, including those in the gardens and along the Kartavya Path between the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the India Gate. In total, eight amenity buildings and four pedestrian underpasses have been built along the stretch of 422 red granite benches. New red granite walkways covering 1,10,457 square metres have been built along the Kartavya Path to replace the bajri sand that formerly covered the ground. On the Kartavya Path, a total of 987 concrete bollards have been put in place. In total, 1,490 manholes with a contemporary appearance have taken their position. A new triangular Parliament building, a shared central secretariat, renovation of the three-kilometer Kartavya Path, a new prime minister's mansion and office, and a new vice-enclave presidents are all part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, which is the nation's power corridor.

Rajpath - A Ceremonial Boulevard

The three-kilometre section, known as Kingsway when under British administration, was created as a ceremonial boulevard by New Delhi's architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker over a century ago. When the Raj shifted its capital from Calcutta to New Delhi in 1911, work proceeded for several years. The new imperial metropolis that Lutyens imagined was centred on a "ceremonial axis" and was given the name Kingsway in honour of George V, the then-Emperor of India, who visited Delhi for the Durbar of 1911 and officially announced the plan to move the capital there. The name was modelled after that of the Kingsway, a thoroughfare in London designated in 1905 in honour of King Edward VII, the father of George V.

Rajpath- A Hindi Name

Rajpath, the road's Hindi name, was given to it when India gained its independence, and it was here that Republic Day parades were held for many years to come. During his speech from the Red Fort on August 15, Modi made a point of calling for the abolition of colonial symbols. The 28-foot statue of Netaji was erected under the Grand Canopy, where a statue of George V had stood, to symbolise the spirit of the brave new India. Rajpath also received a new name and appearance.

New Parliament Building

The new Parliament building and redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue were the first phases of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project's construction, which started in February 2021. The Central Vista Road project, estimated to cost Rs 608 crore, aims to create an iconic avenue that genuinely represents New India. The unveiling of the statue of Netaji and the opening of the new boulevard are "steps...in accordance with the Prime Minister's second 'Panch Pran' for New India in Amrit Kaal:'remove any evidence of colonial thinking'."

Other Changes by Modi Administration                                                                        

The Modi administration has been getting rid of reminders of British colonial history ever since it took office. Earlier this year, the perennial "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo" took the place of the customary Christian hymn "Abide by Me" during the Beating the Retreat event. The seal with the crest of the Maratha warrior king Shivaji replaced the Saint George's Cross on the Indian Navy flag last week. At the National War Memorial, the Amar Jawan Jyoti and the flame were united in January. Only a few of the victims who fought for the British in World War I and the Anglo-Afghan War are reflected by the names etched on the India Gate, making them a reminder of our colonial heritage.

Dangers of “Darkening of History”

The dangers of this "darkening of history" are numerous. This kind of story is extremely contradictory in that a nation's past cannot be easily erased or darkened. Even though it was exploitative, it still has inspirational value in the end. The political analyst points out that these are attempts to imply that the nation has emerged from the Middle Ages and that possibly the New Age belongs to a very contemporary India. Naturally, this is primarily intended to emerge from the past's shadows. However, it has a fault because, on the one hand, it helps us understand the India of the future. But ‘tomorrow’ becomes much more meaningful if we see it in the context of ‘yesterday’.” Completely rewriting or re-emphasising the value of the future by darkening the past has its own problems.