New Delhi, November 1 (). BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding changing the name of Delhi to ‘Indraprastha’. He says that this name symbolizes the spirit of Indian civilization, religion, policy and public welfare.
The MP says that Delhi is not an ordinary modern city, but is the living tradition of that great city settled by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata period, which history knows by the name of ‘Indraprastha’.
The MP has also proposed that the Old Delhi Railway Station be renamed as ‘Indraprastha Junction’ and the Indira Gandhi International Airport be renamed as ‘Indraprastha Airport’. Also, grand statues of Pandavas should be installed at some prominent place in Delhi, because this is the holy land where Pandavas had built their capital. With these statues the new generation will be connected with values like sacrifice, courage, justice and piety.
Khandelwal has also sent a copy of his letter to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. He says that during the Mahabharata period, Pandavas shifted the capital from Hastinapur and established ‘Indraprastha’ on the banks of Yamuna. That city was the most prosperous, beautiful and well-organized city of its time. From here the foundation of governance based on religion and policy was laid.
The MP said in his letter that history is witness that this area was the center of trade and culture during the Maurya and Gupta periods. During the Rajput period, Tomar kings called it ‘Dhillika’, from which the name gradually evolved into ‘Dilli’. From Qutubuddin Aibak in the Sultanate period to Shahjahan in the Mughal period, many cities were established like Siri, Tughlaqabad, Firozshah Kotla and Shahjahanabad, but the original center remained Indraprastha. During the British era, Lutyens’ Delhi was made the new capital in 1911, but its geography is still the same where it was once the capital of the Pandavas.
The MP said that when cities like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Ujjain and Varanasi are returning their ancient identity, Delhi should also get the honor of the name ‘Indraprastha’. This change will be a big step not only towards historical justice but also towards cultural renaissance. This completely matches with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of cultural renaissance. Changing the name will increase cultural self-respect.
The name ‘Indraprastha’ will enliven India’s spirit of civilization and righteous governance. The coming generations will get the message that the capital is not only the center of power but also a symbol of religion, policy and nationalism.
He says that at the global level, names like ‘Indraprastha Airport’ and ‘Indraprastha Junction’ will bring India’s ancient heritage in front of the world. This will promote religious and cultural tourism, which will strengthen trade, employment and local economy.
Khandelwal emphasized that Delhi is the heritage of that great city of the Mahabharata era. Where the foundation of religion and policy was laid. Now the time has come to return the country’s capital to its real name and identity. When every city is connecting with its cultural roots, Delhi has every right to be called ‘Indraprastha’.
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SHK/VC
