Let India become Bharat -- M. Rama Jois

[kirankumar]

In establishing national identity, the country's name has a great significance. For our country which has the oldest history of humanity, civilisation and culture, it has still greater significance.

Despite being a vast country with innumerable states, different languages, religions, food habits, customs, usages, we the people of this land have been welded into one nation from most ancient times.

A single name `Bharat' was given to the whole territory from times immemorial is equally an interesting fact of history. The name `Bharat' is our rich national heritage. It reminds us of our cultural values, the great epics, our literatures, saints, heroes, philosophers and our glorious history as well as our unity in diversity. It was the Britishers who had the desire to destroy the nation's identity so that they may rule this country for ever. They started their scheme with changing the name of the country. They called it India. The difference between the two names has been pointed out by the greatest historian Radhakumud Mukherji in his book Fundamental Unity of India,.

``The first expression they appear to have given to this sense of unity was their description of the entire country by the single name of Bharatvarsha. The name India was given to the country by foreigners... The name Bharatavarsha is not a mere geographical expression like the term India, having only a physical reference. It has deep, historical significance symbolising a fundamental unity which was certainly perceived and understood by those who invented the name'', he wrote. It is an undisputable fact that in our struggle for freedom it was the single slogan `Bharat Mata Ki Jai' that united the people of this country.

Vishnupurana has devoted a whole chapter for eulogising the name and special quality of this land: ``The country which lies to the north of the seas and south of the Himalayas is `Bharat' and inhabitants of this land are `Bharatiyas'.

``This land is great because it is a `Karmabhoomi' (land of duty), whereas other countries are `Bhogabhoomi' (land of enjoyment)''.There is another verse, in praise of Bharat which says: ``Even Gods sing the glory of Bharat saying blessed is this part of the earth called `Bharat'''.Having such an attachment to our motherland, it is essential in national interest to retain the name Bharat and delete the name India. But, unfortunately, the very first article of our Constitution gave the name of the land as `India that is Bharat'. This indeed tantamount to translating a proper noun, which is never done. This Article of the Constitution gives rise to several fundamental questions.

Why two names for our motherland?

`Bharat mata ki jai' has been the slogan and mantra throughout the Country during freedom struggle.

Why `Bharat ka Samvidhan' should be translated as Constitution of India and not as Constitution of Bharat?

If `India' is the name of our country, then our national anthem should have said ``India Bhagya Vidhata'', but it says ``Bharath Bhagya Vidhata''. What is the need to substitute Bharat for India?

Is not retaining the name `India' an act of mental slavery?

One can say what is there in a name, so long as the country is the same. On the other hand, from the point of view of our national identity, honour, unity, cultural heritage, the name has a great potentiality. The very declaration that the name of this country is Bharat and the deletion of name `India' from the Constitution and the laws and giving up its use everywhere bring about a psychological change so essential for establishing our national identity.

At least in this golden jubilee year of Independence, Parliament should do justice to the `Bharat Mata' by restoring her name by deleting the words `India that is' from Article 1 of the Constitution.

Note:
source: Indian Express Friday, August 22 1997.
The writer is a former Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

[Hansraj]

dear sir,

this is seriously to be considered and if we do not act now, we may lead to serious identity crisis.

hansraj