President Droupadi Murmu unveils bust of first Indian Governor General, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Why in news

President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first and only Indian Governor General, at Rashtrapati Bhavan to replace the bust of Edwin Lutyens.

Background

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari served as the first and only Indian Governor General of independent India. The bust was unveiled at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of the Vice President and various Union Ministers.

Facts for Prelims

• PostChakravarti Rajagopalachari: First and only Indian Governor General of independent India
• PlaceRashtrapati Bhavan: Site of the bust unveiling
• FactEdwin Lutyens: The bust of whom was replaced by Rajagopalachari's bust

For Mains

Q. Discuss how the decolonization of public spaces and symbols contributes to the construction of a national identity in post-independence India.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Symbolic sovereignty: Transition from colonial iconography to indigenous leadership figures
• Cultural reclamation: Aligning public monuments with the ethos of the Indian Constitution

Keywords: Decolonization · National Identity · Symbolic Representation · Cultural Heritage

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