Page 42 - NIS English 16-31 March, 2026

NATION | Rajaji

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President’s full Programme.

The Life of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

A Symbol of Unwavering Dedication to the Nation

During the Azadi Ka Amrit hakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first Indian Governor General
Mahotsav, Prime Minister of independent India, was among those who viewed power
Narendra Modi outlined the five Cnot as a position but as a service. His conduct in public life,
key principles from the Red Fort. self-restraint, and independent thinking continue to inspire the
One of them was freedom from the nation. Unfortunately, even after independence, statues of British
mentality of slavery. This is why administrators remained in Rashtrapati Bhavan, but those of the
today the country has shunned the nation’s greatest sons were not given a place. A statue of British ar-
symbols of slavery and has begun chitect Edwin Lutyens also stood in Rashtrapati Bhavan. This statue
to embrace the symbols of Indian has now been replaced by a statue of C. Rajagopalachari, popularly
culture. Rashtrapati Bhavan also known as Rajaji, which was unveiled by President Droupadi Murmu.
took an important step in this Speaking on the occasion, she said that when Rajaji arrived at
direction and celebrated ‘Rajaji Government House (now known as Rashtrapati Bhavan), he hung
Utsav’ on February 23rd. On this portraits of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Mahatma Gandhi
occasion, a statue of Chakravarti in his room. Rajaji’s thoughts and actions clearly reflect the Indian
Rajagopalachari, the first Indian consciousness and his connection with all Indians, especially the
Governor General of independent weaker sections. The President said that Rashtrapati Bhavan is
India, was unveiled in the central “Rashtra ka Bhavan”; it belongs to the citizens of the country. Rash-
courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan... trapati Bhavan and other President’s estates in Shimla, Hyderabad,

40 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || March 16-31, 2026