Should Public Spaces Be Named After Politicians?

    • Dheeraj.Jangra@timesgroup.com
    • Publish Date: Dec 7 2016 7:22PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Dec 9 2016 4:44PM
Should Public Spaces Be Named After Politicians?

Recently, Cuban President Raul Castro announced that his government will prohibit naming of streets or public monuments after his brother Fidel Castro as the former revolutionary leader was against the development of a personality cult. "The men and women who lead this country are people, not gods," Fidel said in his biography. But in India almost every national asset or public policy is named after our leaders… 

Brand Nehru-Gandhi 
The Grand Old Party has ruled this country for more than 60 years and this is reflected in the political nomenclature that surrounds us. A staggeringly high number of monuments, airports, museums, schemes, sanctuaries, stadiums, sports tournaments, roads, parks and even street crossings are named after members of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. 

According to a 2012 RTI query, Nehru-Gandhi family names have been used for a whopping 450 difference schemes, projects and institutions. As per the RTI, 12 Central and 52 state schemes, 28 sports tournaments and trophies, 19 stadiums, 5 airports and ports, 98 educational institutions, 51 awards, 15 fellowships, 15 national sanctuaries and parks, 39 hospitals and medical institutions, 37 institutions, chairs and festivals and 74 roads, buildings and places are named after just 3 members of the Nehru-Gandhi family —Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. 

Surprisingly, only four institutions and schemes have been named after Mahatma Gandhi. 

Chairperson of Prasar Bharati, journalist and author A Surya Prakash, says in his blog: "A perusal of these programmes and schemes shows a systematic attempt to name every government programme concerning every citizen; every possible circumstance in the life of every citizen — child bearing, child rearing, education of children, food, education of youth, employment, marriage, unemployment, destitution, handicap; and every possible challenge flowing out of lack of infrastructure — drinking water, electricity and housing after just three members of this political family who are icons of the Congress Party." 
 
Why put an end to it? 
The job of a political party is to serve the people. By naming everything under the sun after its leaders, a party gives an impression of being the "master" and it's the sacred duty of voters to keep voting it back to power. This blatant promotional activity goes against the values of democracy. Moreover, in the long run it's the performance that counts. For example, despite having hundreds of schemes and institutions named after its leaders, Congress is on the verge of losing its relevance in national politics. 
 
But, have these leaders not contributed to nation-building? 
Yes. But, so have many others. Our nation doesn't lack in men/women of ability (authors, sportsmen, social workers, bureaucrats, extraordinary citizens, educationists etc). So, why don't we see their names being highlighted? Why we should only remember the contribution of a handful of leaders?  
 
The government this year decided that upcoming airports will no longer be named after famous personalities, but the cities they are built in. Taking a cue from this order, a student suggested that the government must pass a legislation barring the practice of naming public monuments, institutions or policies after political leaders.  
 

Is it time to end the practice of naming public spaces, awards, government policy, roads, airports, stadiums, etc. after political leaders? Let's know your views in the comments section below. 

 
 

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Comments

Priynsh Sahu J.M. INTERNATIONAL SCH00L

Yes, I think that public places should be named after leaders because, this way we will never forget the leaders who did so much for us and died a horrible death.We will always keep their name unforgetable

Brenda Marshal PADUA HIGH SCHOOL-MANKHURD

Yes. Because this will give an honour to them..

V.Ananya D.A.V. Public School

Public places , if not named after leaders and other known personalities , then what/whom will they be named after ? That will require big debates and create disputes.So , its better to name them after leaders . But not any leader , only the ones who are respectable and really hard working for this country .

Gaurav saha Convent of Jesus and Mary High School & Jr. Colleg

Yes, I definitely agree with this thing. As the leaders have done many great things for our country. They have changed the country n countrymen alot. Some of them died while serving the country

Kashish Goel Bal Bharati Public School

According to me, naming public places after our leaders is a great idea even though there are a number of other ways in remembering them. May be, after making it compulsory that national anthem would be played in cinema halls, this step may inculcate patriotism in them.

MANAS KUMAR BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

Yes its time to break this long carried system of giving ''godly status'' to our leaders for developing a personalty cult for motto of inculcating an inclination towards the party. Why do we always publicize and highlight political leaders so much by nearly giving a divine authenticity to them? No doubt that they have worked for the nation but why giving political parties a chance to do their vote bank politics in name of those leaders? why do we forget about our scientists and other people?

Ritvik Baweja BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

Undoubtedly this is the time to end this practice of Public places and monuments being named after famous political leaders .It''s not the right way to pay tribute to these famous personalities. This is just a sham that we are pretending to have respect for them . Just by naming roads or building we can''t respect the people. True respect and patriotism should come from heart and not for show off.

Ritvik Baweja BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

Manier times we see a public place or a road bears a name that is irrelevant or named after a person we don''t know. If the citizens don''t know what is the significance behind its name and also the name is not making a sense then why have such weird names. For sure these false netas names should be scrapped off and instead they should be renamed after the landmark or any historical significance.

Ritvik Baweja BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

On the other hand if we see it''s sometimes right naming the public places after famous leaders and politicians not every politician in our country is corrupt. There are money which are earnest definitely places should be on their name

MANAS KUMAR BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

Yes its time to break this long carried system of giving ''godly status'' to our leaders for developing a personalty cult for motto of inculcating an inclination towards the party. Why do we always publicize and highlight political leaders so much by nearly giving a divine authenticity to them? No doubt that they have worked for the nation but why giving political parties a chance to do their vote bank politics in name of those leaders? why do we forget about our scientists and other people?

MANAS KUMAR BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

Such type of personality cult propaganda should be put to an end.

Nishi Upadhyay BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (SWASTHYA VHR)

practice of naming public places after political leaders needs to be ended as there are more important and deserving people than them.

Aishwarya Iyer Deens Academy

Most public places are named afer undeserving politicians instead of the people who have done something actually good for the country, such as some of the kings such as Ashoka,Maharana Pratap, Chandragupta Maurya,etc. Why can''t they be given some honour. Public places should be named after deserving people or they should be named somehting neutral.

Darshil Shah GOPI BIRLA MEM.SCH.-WALKESHWAR

Public places should named after only freedom fighters and other national heroes not politicians. Naming places after politicians is unfair as it will promote a particular political party and give a dictatorship like impression.

Darshil Shah GOPI BIRLA MEM.SCH.-WALKESHWAR

Public places should be named after only freedom fighters and other national heroes not politicians. Naming places after politicians is unfair as it will promote a particular political party and give a dictatorship like impression.

Syed Mohd. Saad Jamia Senior Secondary School, Jamia Millia Islami

No, As we''ve seen that someone who''s seen as a leader by many could also be a villain for many others(like we saw in the case of Fidel Castro).. While certain qualities which a leader posses such Honesty, valor and unselfishness etc.. So, instead of naming public places after the names of leaders, one should name them after the qualities which makes someone a leader. Such as Honesty Marg, Goodwill theatre, Humanitarian airport etc.

Harini MS NAGARJUNA VIDYANIKETAN

Public places can be named after famous people. But probably not after pre independence leaders, rather after leaders whom the present generation know about. It''ll help them gain a stronger inspiration.

Mayank Seth Anandram Jaipuria School

Public places should be named after leaders who fought bravely against all the evils affecting our country. By this each and every person will get to know about them and remember the great people.

maitriey mann J.B.MRIGAVTI VIDYALAYA(ALIPUR G.T.K

I dont think so. The public places should not be named after the famous leaders as it can be used by political leaders for fulfilling their own vote banks. If we have respect for them then there are many other better ways to show it than this

Vaishali Selvaraju BGS National Public School

I think that naming public places after leaders is a good idea as these leaders have done many sacrifices for our country.Naming public places after these great leaders will also make it easier for foreigners and Indians to know about that leader and their contribution to our free and democratic country.

ROSHAN HASMUKHBHAI PARMAR PRAGATI ENGLISH PRIMARY SCHOOL

Yes it is. Famous awards and government policies are named after past leaders to invoke a sense of pride and a way to remember them by. It is mostly propaganda if you ask me.

Vandana Subash City International School Wanowrie

Public places should surely be named after leaders but worthy leaders.People like Indira Gandhi have done enough destruction to India with Emergency. So,people like freedom fighters should be given this honour because this is the only way we can repay all what they have done for us..

Om Badiyani Sandipani

Surely, these people have done great things for the nation. They should be honoured

S.VIDHYAALAKSHMI SHREE NIKETAN MAT -

Yes in memory of them!

SNEHA - R Kulapati munshi bhavan's vidhya mandir

This practice must be stopped as it creates a master like feeling which is not healthy for a democratic country like India.Many political parties misuse this facility to gain political power.It creates a feeling inside the voter that makes him/her look into the principles of the party as a sacred one.

Sree Narayana Vidya Bhavan Other

yes! i would be think that it will give an honour for all

SHUBHAM BANSAL RYAN INT. SCH. SOHNA RD GURGAON

According to me, naming public places after our leaders is a great idea even though there are a number of other ways in remembering them. but there should be other names that need to be mentioned. they have also done so much for our country India.

Abhi Dabas Bal Bharati Public School Pitampura

The naming public places on the bases of the names of political leaders is not a good thing as this just create a chance for the party members to create a vote bank for them as it would help party members to earn vote on the name of those respected leaders in whose name a public place is named. So it is not a fair game.

Abhi Dabas Bal Bharati Public School Pitampura

The naming public places on the bases of the names of political leaders is not a good thing as this just create a chance for the party members to create a vote bank for them as it would help party members to earn vote on the name of those respected leaders in whose name a public place is named. So it is not a fair game.

Abhi Dabas Bal Bharati Public School Pitampura

The naming public places on the bases of the names of political leaders is not a good thing as this just create a chance for the party members to create a vote bank for them as it would help party members to earn vote on the name of those respected leaders in whose name a public place is named. So it is not a fair game.

Abhi Dabas Bal Bharati Public School Pitampura

The naming public places on the bases of the names of political leaders is not a good thing as this just create a chance for the party members to create a vote bank for them as it would help party members to earn vote on the name of those respected leaders in whose name a public place is named. So it is not a fair game.

Abhi Dabas Bal Bharati Public School Pitampura

The naming public places on the bases of the names of political leaders is not a good thing as this just create a chance for the party members to create a vote bank for them as it would help party members to earn vote on the name of those respected leaders in whose name a public place is named. So it is not a fair game.

Abhi Dabas Bal Bharati Public School Pitampura

The naming public places on the bases of the names of political leaders is not a good thing as this just create a chance for the party members to create a vote bank for them as it would help party members to earn vote on the name of those respected leaders in whose name a public place is named. So it is not a fair game.

Haya Naved FATHER AGNEL SCHOOL(GAUTAM NAGAR)

I think public places should be named after those who made our country proud at the global level not necessarily leaders, it can a sportsperson or an actor.

KATHERINE PARSHAD RED ROSES [PUBLIC SCHOOL

according to me i think its great idea that public places should named after leaders as it will create a memorable name and it will be an unique way to remember our great leader

khushi saini J.M. INTERNATIONAL SCH00L

Yes,I totally agree with this statement, cause by the leaders or the freedom fighter''s our country is free, and they also did a remarkable job/thing which make''s us proud.They are unforgettable name who died to make their country free and independent.

Emima Thangapandi PADUA HIGH SCHOOL-MANKHURD

Yes it should because she will show how we respect them our coming generations will also get the chance to study about the history of the name behind name of the road.

Yashita Nagpal BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (SWASTHYA VHR)

This makes no sense to me. Inculcating those values or principles which they adopted in their lives for being a leader in us is more important than just reading their names on different places or sometimes even passing without any notice.

Khushi Pandit VIDYA NIKETAN

Public places , if not named after leaders and other known personalities , then what/whom will they be named after ? That will require big debates and create disputes.So , its better to name them after leaders . But not any leader , only the ones who are respectable and really hard working for this country

Khushi Pandit VIDYA NIKETAN

Yes, I think that public places should be named after leaders because, this way we will never foso much foe us and our country and tis will give an honour to them also.rget the leaders who did

Khushi Pandit VIDYA NIKETAN

Yes, I think that public places should be named after leaders because, this way we will never foso much foe us and our country and tis will give an honour to them also.

Khushi Pandit VIDYA NIKETAN

Yes, I think that public places should be named after leaders because, this way we will never forget the leaders who did so much for us and our country and this will give an honour to them also.

Kashish Goel Bal Bharati Public School

According to me, naming public places after our leaders is a great idea even though there are a number of other ways in remembering them. May be, after making it compulsory that national anthem would be played in cinema halls, this step may inculcate patriotism in them.

Kashish Goel Bal Bharati Public School

According to me, naming public places after our leaders is a great idea even though there are a number of other ways in remembering them. May be, after making it compulsory that national anthem would be played in cinema halls, this step may inculcate patriotism in them.

Kashish Goel Bal Bharati Public School

However, it is not at all important to name the public places after them because we can show our respect for them in other ways too.

Arohi Sharma BHATNAGAR INTERNATION SCHOOL

Naming public spaces after politician provides them a higher status then the common man and sometimes even becomes a way to earn votes. Every citizen is deemed equal in a democracy and if a politocal leader gets his name on public spaces so should be given to the common man. I do think that the work done by politians for the country is appriciable but one public space named is enough in that case.

Priya M G NEW BALDWIN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

Yes , they will always remain in our hearts for the sacrifice they have done , their names can never be erased from our souls , they will always be remembered , as public places will be after their names and it will also give an honor to them . But few public places are named after undeserving politicians , the public places must be named after people who have really done something for the nation .

Darshil Shah ST. XAVIERS - LOYOLLA -2 LOYOLLA 2

Only deserving politicians should get an opportunity to be honored like this. Politicians like APJ Abdul Kalam should surely be honored like this.

Ishika New era

For this we need to know about the person''s ability ! Can anyone expect a public space to be named after rahul gandhi? Ofcourse not ! But yes i expect a public space to be named after our honourable PM. Its not the time to crack jokes about rahul gandhi..its the time to show him his place. He can''t be the one on whom a public space gets named. No delegate would accept a public space be named on rahul gandhi 😂. But yes we should stop this because we hace treasures of talents as well!

Ishika New era

For this we need to know about the person''s ability ! Can anyone expect a public space to be named after rahul gandhi? Ofcourse not ! But yes i expect a public space to be named after our honourable PM. Its not the time to crack jokes about rahul gandhi..its the time to show him his place. He can''t be the one on whom a public space gets named. No delegate would accept a public space be named on rahul gandhi 😂. But yes we should stop this because we hace treasures of talents as well!

Bhavana Jaison Atomic Energy Central School No 2

Really ,tagging a street with the name of a political leader is quite boring. The names of the streets should match with the rhythm of the place . I feel it will be a good if we can name our streets with the raga''s from Hindustani and carnatic music.

Onkarpreet Bhavan Vidyalaya

There are some people who have done a lot for the nation. Sacrifices they have made have to be recognised. However, not everyone should be given the privilege.

Mythili Iyer Greenwood High

No, I do not think that we should name public places with names of great leaders. Why? It does not matter to public, whether it named after a great person or not. If that place is related to them, then we can name it as people will understand what great deeds they did. More and more people will then continue doing good deeds as leaders did.

Himanshi Dhawan Saffron Public School

Yes, it''s high time now! Naming everything after political leaders not only makes them the master but also gives them a title of being superior than others. And if we are doing so, then all the great personalities whether in the field of sports, education or film industry should also be given preference. Why only political leaders then?

ABHIGYAN SINGH Harmony International School , Kharghar

No It should not be named after politicians instead we can honor them. Traveler from outside will not be interested in politicians and will not visit that place.

Akshita Pandey LILAVATI BAI PODAR (A)-SCRUZ

I totally agree with you Ritvik. Just naming some roads or monuments after their names is not giving the prominent leaders or personalities respect and honour.

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