Raj Bhavan Becomes ‘Lok Bhavan’ in J&K, Marking Major Shift in Administrative Symbolism

JAMMU/NEW DELHI, Dec 2: In a significant symbolic shift reflecting the Union Government’s evolving philosophy of citizen-centric governance, the new complex housing the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in New Delhi has been officially named ‘Seva Teerth’. At the same time, Jammu and Kashmir’s Raj Bhavan will now be known as ‘Lok Bhavan, Jammu and Kashmir’, marking yet another addition to a series of institutional renamings rooted in the ideals of duty, service and public welfare.

The rebranded PMO complex, nearing completion under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, was earlier referred to as the Executive Enclave. Apart from the PMO, the sprawling complex will also accommodate key pillars of national administration including the Cabinet Secretariat, the National Security Council Secretariat and India House, the designated venue for high-level diplomatic engagements with visiting heads of state and international delegations.

Officials familiar with the development said that ‘Seva Teerth’ is envisioned as a space that embodies the ethos of public service. They emphasised that India’s governance architecture is gradually transitioning from traditional concepts of authority and hierarchy towards a model grounded in transparency, responsibility, and the spirit of seva. According to sources, the renaming is part of a broader cultural and moral reorientation that seeks to remind every public institution of its primary purpose: to serve citizens.

The change mirrors a pattern visible across several national landmarks over the past few years. Rajpath, the ceremonial boulevard from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, was renamed Kartavya Path to underline the importance of duty over privilege. Similarly, the Prime Minister’s official residence was renamed Lok Kalyan Marg in 2016, reflecting the message that governance must prioritise welfare over exclusivity. The Central Secretariat, now known as Kartavya Bhavan, reinforces the same principle of administrative duty.

Officials added that these names are not mere cosmetic changes but are part of a deeper ideological repositioning of Indian democracy. Public office, they said, is increasingly being redefined not as an instrument of power but as a platform for service, accountability and collective progress. “Every name, every building, every symbol now carries the message that governance exists for the people,” an official remarked.

Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat in Jammu and Kashmir formally notified that the Raj Bhavan of the Union Territory will henceforth be called Lok Bhavan, Jammu and Kashmir. The order, issued by Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, states that the decision has been taken in pursuance of a communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 25 and has been implemented with immediate effect.