Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 2: In line with the Union government’s directive to replace colonial-era terminology, Maharashtra on Tuesday officially changed the name of Raj Bhavan to Maharashtra Lok Bhavan. Governor Acharya Devvrat instructed the Raj Bhavan Secretariat to implement the new designation immediately.

Calling the move a “visionary step,” the Governor said the transformation aims to make Lok Bhavan more accessible, transparent, and aligned with public welfare. He stressed that the Governor’s residence and office must evolve into an active space for dialogue with citizens, students, researchers, farmers, social groups, and civil society organisations.

He added that the intent behind the renaming is to strengthen the connection between the government and the people and ensure the institution remains sensitive to citizens’ aspirations and day-to-day concerns.

Maharashtra joins eight states — West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Gujarat, and Tripura — as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh, all of which have adopted Lok Bhavan or Lok Niwas in place of the old “Raj” nomenclature.

The change is part of a broader national effort to shed colonial vestiges and adopt names that emphasise democratic values and public-centric governance.