In a powerful nod to India’s independence-era heroes, Rashtrapati Bhavan will host the unveiling of C. Rajagopalachari’s statue on Monday as part of the grand ‘Rajaji Utsav.’ The event at the President’s central courtyard replaces colonial-era symbols with tributes to homegrown legends.
Speaking on ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi revisited his call for ‘Panch Pran’ during the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. Among these pranas is liberation from the slavish mentality, a theme vividly embodied by this installation. Modi commended the presidential estate for prioritizing Indian cultural icons over foreign impositions.
Rajagopalachari’s legacy is immense: as the last Governor-General before India became a republic, he stood out for treating governance as duty rather than dominance. ‘His life of moderation and bold ideas remains a beacon for all,’ the PM remarked.
Modi didn’t mince words about the post-independence anomaly—British statues, including that of Edwin Lutyens, the designer of key colonial structures, lingered in Rashtrapati Bhavan while Indian leaders’ memorials were overlooked. ‘It was unfortunate that freedom’s icons were denied space while colonial remnants endured,’ he said.
Now, Lutyens’ statue is being supplanted by Rajaji’s, a gesture that resonates deeply in today’s India focused on decolonization.
Complementing the unveiling, an exhibition from February 24 to March 1 will feature artifacts and stories from Rajagopalachari’s extraordinary journey—from his role in the Quit India Movement to his post-independence reforms and advocacy for individual liberty.
The Prime Minister invited the public to engage with this history, reinforcing that understanding such figures strengthens national pride and resolve. Events like these bridge past sacrifices with future aspirations, ensuring Rajaji’s principles endure.