New Delhi: The Indian Army has renamed several roads, residential colonies and military facilities as part of an ongoing review of British influence on its culture and heritage, a move aimed at strengthening an identity anchored in India’s rich military heritage, officials aware of the matter said on Thursday.
Indian Army renames several roads, residential colonies and military facilities (representative photo)”The revised naming of 246 roads, buildings and facilities recognizes the contribution of India’s gallantry awardees, war heroes and distinguished military leaders, reflecting the values of courage, sacrifice and leadership,” said an official quoted above on condition of anonymity.
The Army announced the review in 2022 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the dismantling of colonial norms in the armed forces at the Joint Commanders’ Conference in Kevadia, Gujarat in March 2021. He asked the three services to get rid of legacy practices that are no longer relevant.
The prime minister’s remarks at the summit were the first indication that many of the remaining colonial practices in the armed forces were on the way out. He emphasized the importance of increasing indigenization in the national security system, not only in procurement of equipment and weapons, but also in doctrine, procedures and practices.
The review carried out so far covers 124 roads, 77 residential colonies, 27 buildings and military facilities and 18 other places including parks, training areas, playgrounds, gates and helipads, a second official said, listing some of the changes.
Mall Road in Delhi Cantonment will now be called Arun Kshetrapal Marg in honor of the young hero of the 1971 war who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his bravery. Kirby Place in Delhi Cantt has been renamed after Captain Nikezakuo Kangurse, a Kargil War hero who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
“This initiative complements the larger national effort to honor soldiers’ bravery and supreme sacrifice with sustained recognition of Param Vir Chakra awardees, to ensure that the legacy of India’s heroes remains embedded in institutional spaces”.
In Ambala Cantonment, Patterson Road Quarter will be called Dhan Singh Thapa Enclave; In Mathura, the New Horn Line is named after Abdul Hamid; In Jaipur, Queen’s Line Road has been renamed Sundar Singh Marg; In Bareilly, New Birdwood Line is now Themaiya Colony; And in Mahu Cantonment, Malcolm Line will be called Piru Singh Line.
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Also, Collins Block of Indian Military Academy, Dehradun is now Nubra Block, and Kingsley Block has been renamed Kargil Block.
“Through this measure, the Indian Army continues to align its living, training and work areas with India’s own military heritage, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sovereignty, integrity and enduring values,” said a second official.
Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort to mark 75 years of independence in 2022, Modi spoke of the “panch pranas” or five promises to make India a developed country by the 100th year of independence in 2047. One of those resolutions was to uproot all traces of colonial mentality and habits.
On September 2, 2022, Modi unveiled a naval insignia at the commissioning ceremony of the aircraft carrier Vikrant, drawing inspiration from the seal of Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj and the St. George’s Cross, a move the prime minister described as ridding himself of the burden of a colonial past.
