Dehradun/Nainital: Following the approval of Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Retd.), the Dehradun Raj Bhavan has been officially renamed ‘Lok Bhavan’. In this connection, the name ‘Lok Bhavan’ was inscribed on the main entrance of the Raj Bhavan today.
The Governor stated that the Constitution gives the highest place to the ‘people,’ meaning the people. The people are the strength of the nation, and the soul of democracy. The Governor expressed hope that the Lok Bhavan will become a center of hope, sensitivity, transparency, and public service for the citizens of Uttarakhand.
The Governor stated, “The Lok Bhavan embodies the sacred spirit of public service, in which every citizen feels a part of this building. This building is not merely a symbol of administrative establishment, but is the home of the aspirations, hopes, and faith of every person in Uttarakhand. We are committed to ensuring that the Lok Bhavan truly works for the people, with the people, and in dedication to the people.”
Along with Dehradun, the Nainital Raj Bhavan will also be renamed. Following the concurrence of the central government and the approval of Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmeet Singh, the Raj Bhavans in Dehradun and Nainital have been renamed Lok Bhavan. Based on a letter issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, on November 25th, the Governor’s Secretary, Ravinath Raman, issued a formal notification.
With this, the official name has been replaced by ‘Lok Bhavan Uttarakhand’. According to the state government, this change reflects the spirit of public welfare-focused governance and is a step towards a more democratic form of administration.
The ‘Summer Capital’ Tradition of the British Era: During British rule, the Kumaon Commissioner and senior officials stayed here during the summer. In the early 1900s, the place became the summer capital of the British administration. After the formation of the state of Uttarakhand in 2000, the Nainital Raj Bhavan became the official summer residence of the Governor. Furthermore, it has hosted many important state decisions, meetings, and foreign delegations.
