February 23, New Delhi - President Droupadi Murmu today unveiled the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first and only Indian Governor-General of independent India, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking a symbolic shift in the nation's historical narrative. The installation replaces the bust of Edwin Lutyens at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap.
The President stated that this move is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate remnants of a colonial mindset and honor leaders who made extraordinary contributions to the nation. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Union Ministers J P Nadda, S Jaishankar, Dharmendra Pradhan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, L Murugan, and family members of Rajagopalachari were present at the ceremony.
President Murmu also graced the ‘Rajaji Utsav’ at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, commemorating the life and legacy of C. Rajagopalachari. In her address, she said that visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan will now be acquainted with Rajaji’s enduring contributions to the nation.
