By Suresh Unnithan
New Delhi: In a landmark move to redefine the ethos of public administration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has renamed the upcoming Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) complex as ‘Seva Teerth’, emphasizing a transition from power (‘satta’) to selfless service (‘seva’). Announced on December 2, the new name applies to the state-of-the-art facility under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, previously known as the ‘Executive Enclave’. This complex, now in its final construction phases, will house not only the PMO but also the Cabinet Secretariat, National Security Council Secretariat, and ‘India House’ – a dedicated venue for high-level diplomatic engagements with world leaders.
The renaming aligns with the Modi government’s decade-long campaign to decolonize institutional nomenclature and instill a culture of duty (‘kartavya’) and transparency. Officials described ‘Seva Teerth’ as more than a building; it’s envisioned as a “workplace where national priorities take shape through the spirit of service,” marking a profound cultural and moral evolution in India’s public institutions. “Every name, every building, and every symbol now points to a simple idea: Government exists to serve,” they added, highlighting how this reflects a citizen-first approach in governance.
Complementing the PMO overhaul, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on social media that Governor’s residences – traditionally called Raj Bhavan in states and Raj Niwas in Union Territories – will now be redesignated as ‘Lok Bhavan’ and ‘Lok Niwas’, respectively. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shah hailed the changes as “an important milestone in the nation’s journey toward building a developed and superior India, with service and good governance as key priorities.” He underscored that over the past 11 years, the Narendra Modi administration has embodied service over authority, with the Prime Minister positioning himself as the ‘Pradhan Sevak’ (Chief Servant), tirelessly working around the clock for the welfare of 1.4 billion Indians.
This initiative builds on a series of symbolic reforms under Modi’s leadership, including:
Renaming Rajpath to Kartavya Path in 2022, symbolizing the path of duty.
Changing the Prime Minister’s residence from 7, Race Course Road to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in 2016, evoking public welfare.
Designating the Central Secretariat as Kartavya Bhavan earlier this year, reinforcing accountability.
Critics, including opposition voices from the Congress party, have dubbed it a “Renamed Sarkar” – questioning if the changes go beyond optics to address deeper systemic issues like the ‘Macaulay mindset’ rooted in colonial legacies. However, supporters, including historians and BJP leaders, argue it represents a genuine reset, drawing parallels to ancient Indian traditions where governance was seen as ‘seva’ rather than dominion.
As the Central Vista project nears completion, ‘Seva Teerth’ is poised to become a physical manifestation of Modi’s vision for an ‘Amrit Kaal’ – an era of service-driven progress. With the Winter Session of Parliament underway amid discussions on economic reforms and global partnerships, this renaming has sparked nationwide conversations on reimagining India’s administrative heritage for a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
