President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), the first and only Indian Governor General of independent India, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
The bust, installed at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap opposite Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, replaces that of Edwin Lutyens, symbolising India’s move away from colonial vestiges.
Later, the President graced the Rajaji Utsav at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, where she viewed a photo and book exhibition, watched a film on Rajaji’s life, and witnessed cultural performances.
In her address, the President said Rajaji embodied mental decolonisation by placing portraits of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Mahatma Gandhi in his room at Government House, sending a message of Swaraj in spirit. She emphasised that icons like Rajaji inspire India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and other dignitaries attended the event. The Vice President highlighted India’s ongoing transformation away from colonial influence, citing initiatives such as renaming Raj Bhavans as Lok Bhavans and replacing colonial-era laws.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message read during the event, called the unveiling “a moment of pride” and an important act of mental decolonisation. He noted Rajaji’s close relationship with Mahatma Gandhi and his enduring contributions to India’s freedom, governance, and cultural identity.
The Rajaji Utsav exhibition will remain open to the public at Amrit Udyan from February 24 to March 1, 2026.
