Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall, renamed

Current Context : President Droupadi Murmu announced the renaming of two halls in the Rashtrapati Bhavan – ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ – as ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’.

ABOUT DARBAR HALL AND ASHOK HALL

• Construction of the Rashtrapati Bhavan was completed in 1929 after King George V declared that the capital of British India would be shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911.
• The hall hosts Civil and Defence Investiture Ceremonies, where the President confers honours to the recipients. Swearing-in ceremonies, like those of the Chief Justices of India, are also conducted here.
• Durbar Hall witnessed a historic moment in the swearing-in ceremony of independent India’s first government in 1947.
• ‘Ashok Hall’ was originally a
• It is now used for the presentation of credentials by Heads of Missions of foreign countries and as a formal place of introductions for the visiting and Indian delegations before the commencement of the State Banquets hosted by the President.
• A loft-like space is used for playing the national anthem during important functions