India bids farewell to its colonial past as the Prime Minister’s Office relocates to the newly unveiled Seva Tirth complex. Yesterday’s cabinet meeting on February 13, 2026, was the last in South Block, a building synonymous with British Raj dominance.
Constructed during the colonial era, South and North Blocks embodied the machinery of oppression that held India in chains for nearly two centuries. Post-1947, these structures continued to house key government functions, including the PMO. Prime Minister Modi’s inauguration of Seva Tirth signals a decisive rupture from that era, embracing a future defined by Indian ethos.
‘Seva (service) defines our true identity,’ declared PM Modi at the event. The new campus centralizes the PMO, Cabinet Secretariat, and National Security Council Secretariat, fostering unprecedented synergy. Adorned with ‘Nagarik Devo Bhava’ – treating citizens as divine – the facility underscores governance as an act of devotion.
This relocation forms a cornerstone of the Central Vista Project, which has rechristened landmarks to reflect duty and service: Central Secretariat becomes Kartavya Bhawan, Rajpath turns Kartavya Path. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and integrated systems, Seva Tirth is poised to supercharge decision-making and public service delivery.
Experts hail this as a transformative step towards decolonizing India’s institutions. By prioritizing efficiency and cultural resonance, the government is laying the groundwork for Viksit Bharat, ensuring administration serves the people’s dreams with renewed vigor.