Odisha Guv approves renaming of Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan
Bhubaneswar, Dec 1
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has approved the renaming of Odisha Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor, as Lok Bhavan, according to a notification issued by the Governor's Secretariat on Monday.
"Pursuant to Letter No. 7/10/2025 (Part)-M&G dated 25th November 2025 of the Ministry of Home Affairs (CS Division), Government of India, Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar and Raj Bhavan, Puri are renamed as Lok Bhavan, Bhubaneswar and Lok Bhavan, Puri respectively with effect from 1st December 2025 for all official purposes," the notification stated.
The renaming marks a significant shift in Odisha's administrative identity. Official sources confirmed that Governor Kambhampati approved the change following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Announcing the move on his X handle, the Governor wrote, "Happy to share a meaningful milestone for Odisha as Raj Bhavan is now Lok Bhavan, a name that truly reflects the aspirations of our people. Inspired by the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guided by the Ministry of Home Affairs, this change reinforces our commitment to transparency, accessibility, and a stronger public connect."
He further emphasised that the new name reflects a commitment to deeper public engagement and inclusive governance.
"This initiative aligns with the broader vision of empowering citizens, strengthening governance systems, and ensuring inclusive growth. Lok Bhavan will continue to serve as an important platform for public engagement and consultation, now with a renewed focus on openness and accessibility for all," the Governor added.
With this, Odisha joins several other states in moving away from colonial-era nomenclature and adopting a people-centric identity for gubernatorial residences.
The renaming follows a recent directive from the Union Home Ministry instructing all States and Union Territories to rename the official residences of Governors as Lok Bhavan and those of Lieutenant Governors as Lok Niwas to shed colonial-era terminology.
Several states and Union Territories have already implemented or initiated the renaming process in line with the directive.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but I hope the focus remains on substance over symbolism. Renaming is easy; ensuring the Governor's office is truly approachable for a farmer from Koraput or a artisan from Pipili is the real challenge. Let's see tangible outreach programs.
Finally shedding colonial baggage! This is part of a necessary national movement to reclaim our institutions. From Rajpath to Kartavya Path, and now Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
As someone who has lived in Odisha for years, I appreciate the sentiment. However, I respectfully wonder about the cost and administrative effort involved in changing all official stationery, signage, etc. Could these resources be directed more directly to public welfare?
The name 'Lok' has deep meaning in our culture. Lok Sabha, Lok Adalat, and now Lok Bhavan. It reinforces that the power resides with the people. A small but powerful step for Odisha's identity.
Interesting to see this pan-India directive. Consistency in naming across states does help create a unified administrative identity. The focus on "public connect" mentioned by the Governor is the key takeaway here.
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