The recent G20 Summit, considered the premier forum for international economic cooperation, brought new ideas to India, along with the possibility of a name change.
Attendees and political watchers at the event held in early September were left confused when Bharat was used as the official name on invitations, referring to Indian President Narendra Modi as Droupadi Murmu, or ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the usual ‘President of India.’
“I was surprised. It’s weird to me that after so many years, a country of that size and magnitude would want to change its name,” said Amandeep Singh, who was been a political watcher for the past 30 years.
Changing the name of a country isn’t as simple as it seems and requires a lot of consideration and money. According to IndependentUk, the cost to change could come to around $172 million, first reported by Outlook Business.
“I think it’s a waste of money, it will affect the Indian economy because they can use this wealth on the poor people of India,” said Joban Sandhu, a recent immigrant from India. “I consider it a political agenda to gather votes for the next elections.”
The name India originates from the Indus River in South Asia, which was once called Sindhu in old writings. When people from other locations arrived, they began referring to this region as “India” because of that river.
“India is not a name that is deemed derogatory. India, meaning coming from the Indus Valley where the country is based, it made sense. There’s nothing wrong with that name,” said Singh.
While many believe that changing India’s name is merely a political ploy, others think it could encourage nationalism, bring Indians together, and help them get recognized globally for who they are.
“Otherwise, I don’t see a fundamental difference between India and Bharat, as people in India are already calling it Bharat too, so there is no formal name change required,” said Farhad Khan.
The word “Bharat” has a strong connection to India’s national identity. It has its roots in legends and old Indian texts. The word “Bharat” is uniquely Indian, symbolizing the country’s rich legacy and the continuous link between its past and present, whereas the name “India” has roots in other languages.
“I was surprised. It’s, it’s weird to me that after so many years, a country of that size and magnitude would want to change its name.”
The phrase “Mera Bharat Mahan,” which is frequently used in film to represent India, might come to pass.
“I feel it’s more connecting to the roots because that’s the whole idea behind where the name power wants to come from,” said Shezad Virji, whose ancestors originated in India.
There is a lot of speculation that the Indian government is attempting to utilize Bharat as a national symbol to appeal to voters’ emotions and win their support. Nevertheless, coming from a political leader, some people think this is more about winning votes than actual nationalism.
“I think it’s a political agenda just to increase the nationalism feeling inside the Indians to gain their votes,” said Gurnoor Brar, a member of the SAIT board of directors.
Even though the name change from India to Bharat has not been officially announced, using the word Bharat on invitations and banners during the G20 Summit, one of the biggest venues in the world, is a great approach to represent the new name of the country internationally.
The G20 Summit is an annual meeting of leaders from the world’s 20 largest economies, including countries like the United States, China, Germany, and Canada. They gather to discuss and coordinate international economic and financial issues. It provides a platform for leaders to address global challenges and promote economic cooperation.
India is frequently referred to as a religious nation because of its deep faith in its cultural and traditional beliefs. Therefore, many people think having a name that fits their culture is better.
“I think this is a cultural agenda and I believe this would help India to be recognized more efficiently internationally,” said Laiba Ahmer, an international student.
SAIT student Muhammad Tasfin believes Bharat is a better name than India since it more accurately represents the country’s culture. He says it can help them to glorify their identity rather than the one given by the British.
Changing the name will not only affect the people living in India but also all the Indians spread worldwide will have a new identity. People do not develop a sense of patriotism by name change, but if it works, India may be on the verge of doing so.
“I think as long as the culture of the country isn’t changed essentially then whatever you name the country shouldn’t matter,” said Chris Ally, a SAIT student.
Over the years, several countries have changed their names such as Persia to Iran, Holland to Netherlands and Ceylon to Sri Lanka. These name changes often reflect shifts in national identity and political circumstances.
Whether it’s a political move or a nationalist movement, India to Bharat may end up giving India a new name and Indians a new identity all over the world.
