Instead of saying “President of India,” the official invitation for the G20 summit dinner that will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan says “President of Bharat,” which has fueled rumors that the Central government plans to rename the nation from India to Bharat.
The opposition parties have criticized the invitation because it is the first time an official invitation has alluded to a change in India’s nomenclature. Jairam Ramesh, the leader of the Congress, has criticized the governing Bharatiya Janata Party.
“So, the report is accurate. Instead of using the customary ‘President of India’ moniker, Rashtrapati Bhawan sent out an invitation for a G20 luncheon on September 9th in the name of ‘President of Bharat’. Now, the Constitution’s Article 1 can state that “Bharat, which was India, shall be a Union of States.” Ramesh tweeted, “But today even this “Union of States” is under attack.
If this transition takes place, it won’t be the first time a nation has formally changed its name. Countries have done this before, frequently under the influence of politics, nationalism, or branding considerations. These modifications significantly affect how the world perceives and remembers certain countries.
Here are some nations that have undergone name changes.
Turkiye – Formerly Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey officially changed the name of the country from Turkey to Turkiye. This change intends to more accurately reflect the nation’s vibrant culture, values, and civilisation on a worldwide scale.
Czechia – Formerly Czech Republic
The Czech Republic changed its name to Czechia in April 2016. The need for simplicity led to this adjustment, which would make it simpler for the country to be recognized in sporting events and international marketing campaigns.
Eswatini – Formerly Swaziland
Eswatini, which translates to “The Land of Swazis,” is the new name of the African country Swaziland. This modification clears up any ambiguity with Switzerland and conforms to the national tongue.
The Netherlands – Formerly Holland
In January 2020, the Netherlands decided to alter their name, deflecting attention from Holland for marketing interests. This action reflects the desire of the country to portray itself as an open, creative, and welcoming one.
Republic of North Macedonia – Formerly Macedonia
In February 2019, the Republic of Macedonia changed its name to the Republic of North Macedonia in order to become a member of NATO and set itself apart from Greece, which also has a territory called Macedonia.
Sri Lanka – Formerly Ceylon
In order to declare its independence and do rid of any historical reminders of Portuguese and British rule, Sri Lanka dropped the colonial name Ceylon in 2011.
Ireland – Formerly Irish Free State
Ireland established a new constitution in 1937, changing its name to Ireland, and declaring itself to be a republic.
Republic of Cabo Verde – Formerly Cape Verde
To honor its official language and remove linguistic inconsistencies, Cape Verde adopted the full Portuguese spelling Republic of Cabo Verde in 2013.
Thailand – Formerly Siam
Sanskrit-based Siam was superseded by Thailand in 1939, briefly returned to Siam between 1946 and 1948, and finally assumed the official name of the Kingdom of Thailand, which it still uses today.
Myanmar – Formerly Burma
Myanmar became the nation’s official name in 1989, replacing Burma, reflecting linguistic accuracy despite some continued global use of the former term.
Cambodia
As a result of its complicated history, Cambodia has had several different names over the years, including the Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, State of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo
From Congo Free State to Belgian Congo, Congo-Leopoldville, Republic of Congo, Republic of Zaire, and eventually the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997, the name of the country has undergone a number of modifications.
Iran – Formerly Persia
In 1935, Iran changed its name from Persia to Iran, which changed how the nation and its people were referred to. Iranians still argue about whether Iran and Persia can be used interchangeably.