Raj Bhavan is now Lok Bhavan following Centre’s directive

PANAJI
Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Thursday announced that Raj Bhavan, Goa, has been renamed as Lok Bhavan, in line with directions issued by the Union Home Ministry.
The decision follows a recommendation made at the Governors’ Conference last year to replace the colonial-era term ‘Raj Bhavan’ with ‘Lok Bhavan’.
In a letter to principal secretaries and secretaries to Governors and Lieutenant Governors, the Home Ministry, earlier this month, noted that the term ‘Raj Bhavan’ reflects a colonial legacy. Several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tripura, have already implemented the change.
Addressing the people on the eve of Goa Liberation Day, the Governor said the renaming represents a conscious move away from colonial symbolism and reflects the democratic values of the republic. Declaring the change, he said Lok Bhavan would function for the people, with the people and in service of the people.
“Today, on this historic occasion of Goa Liberation Day, I am pleased to declare that Raj Bhavan, Goa, will be known as Lok Bhavan, Goa. Lok Bhavan will genuinely work for the people, with the people, and in service of the people,” he said.
Explaining the significance of the new name, the Governor said ‘Lok Bhavan’, meaning People’s House, symbolises transparency, inclusiveness and dedication to public service.
“Lok Bhavan represents a deep commitment to serving the people, an institution where every citizen can feel a sense of belonging. It is not just a seat of administrative authority, but a place that holds the hopes, expectations, and trust of every Goan,” he added.
Reflecting on Goa Liberation Day, the Governor said the occasion underscores unity, courage and resilience, while also serving as a reminder of Goa’s rich heritage and its journey towards becoming a progressive state.
Recalling the hardship faced during the 450 long years of colonial domination, the Governor said that the generations of Goans witnessed profound cultural, social, and political challenges wherein people were forced to live without the autonomy and dignity that are the birth right of every human being. “Yet, beneath this prolonged period of suppression, the desire for self-determination continued to grow quietly in some hearts and also courageously in others,” he said.
The Governor paid tribute to the many known and unknown freedom fighters who resisted oppression.
The Governor noted that Goa Liberation Day is also a celebration of progress, highlighting the state’s development in education, tourism, green energy, sports, harmony and sustainable growth. He said Goa’s achievement of 100 per cent literacy this year was a significant milestone, representing empowerment, dignity and opportunity for every citizen.
Concluding his address, the Governor urged the people of Goa to honour the sacrifices of freedom fighters by recommitting themselves to building a prosperous, vibrant and resilient future for the state and the nation.