India considers changing English name to 'Bharat'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday behind a sign with the name of his country in Hindi, "Bharat", according to France Presse
This is the strongest indication yet that the Indian government may be considering changing the country's official English name from "India."
Modi himself often uses the name "Bharat," which has its roots in ancient Sanskrit texts.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has long campaigned against the use of the name "India," which it sees as a colonial legacy.
The government has also taken steps to remove other symbols of British rule from India.
The change in name would be a significant departure from the country's current official name, which is "India." However, it would be in line with the BJP's efforts to promote Hindu nationalism and to distance India from its colonial past.
The change has been met with mixed reactions. Some people support the change, arguing that it would be a more accurate reflection of the country's history and culture. Others oppose the change, arguing that it would be confusing and costly to implement.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
