Central university in Chhattisgarh to replace ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in degrees, marksheets
Guru Ghasidas Central University took the decision and its standing committee passed a resolution to this effect about six months ago, said Alok Kumar Chakrawal, Vice-Chancellor of the university.
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“Slowly the word ‘Bharat’ will replace ‘India’ in marksheets, degrees and official communications,” he told PTI.
Currently, university transcripts and degree certificates carry references to both India and Bharat in English and Hindi respectively. According to the new decision, it was stated that the word “India” appearing in English will be replaced with “Bharat”.
Chakrawal added that the change will be implemented after the existing marksheets and degree certificates are exhausted.
Explaining the logic behind the move, the VC touched on the use of the term “Bharat” at the G20 Summit hosted by India in 2023. “During the G20 meetings last year, Mr. President used the word ‘Bharat’ in an official dinner party. When the highest constitutional authority in the country follows this tradition, we also follow it. This is a matter of our tradition,” he said.
Chakrawal said the term “Bharat” has deep roots in Indian civilization and culture.
“Historically, the region of Aryavarta and Jambudweep has been called Bharat. The name India was given by foreigners for convenience. We do not need to be guided by the opinions of outsiders. Our culture and tradition has always referred to the country as Bharat and we are making efforts to strengthen this tradition,” he said.
He added that people used different names for the country over time, reflecting their own understanding, and that he did not want to comment on these comments.
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Meanwhile, officials of some government universities, including Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in Raipur and Atal Bihari Vajpayee University in Bilaspur, said that no such decision has been taken by their institutions so far and no guidelines have been issued by the authorities in this regard.
