Should we not revise the title- From Raashtra-Pati to Raashtra-Pramukh and correct error ?
Since ancient times
people living here have considered themselves as Children of Maa Bharat. That
relationship is part of our continuing ethos. President of a country is ‘Head
of the State’. Its nearest equivalent word in the Indian languages is ‘Raashtra-Pramukh’
(translated, ‘Country’s foremost face/leader’).
Among many innocent translation
mistakes India has done in her naivety, one is ‘Raashtra-Pati’ for “President”.
After Independence, gradually freer minds are now able to look more
independently at Indian ethos. ‘Pati’ with ‘Raashtra’ is not a good fit. In
Indian languages ‘Raashtra-Pati’ conveys the sense that the incumbent is Mother
India’s ‘husband’, ‘owner’ or ‘boss’. That he or she is not and Indian ethos do
not even imagine so in its wildest imagination.
Therefore, it is time we
correct this error and make changes as “Raashtra-Pramukh”, ‘Oop-Raashtra-Pramukh’,
‘Raashtra-Pramukh-Bhavan’ etc and so on as applicable.
Fortunately for us, the current
incumbent Pranab Mukherjee is a man who has insight into Sanskriti and is well
versed in Indian Ethos and languages. Surely, therefore, the title ‘Raashtra-Pati’
may be already bothering him. I am seeking his help in taking initiative. The
process of this change would fill citizens with patriotic fervor. He can herald
this change and create history. We know him as a person who has heralded many innovations and changed perception of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
People are people and
among all, Indians are the most argumentative. If above change is mooted, some
may start quarrelling over usage of ‘Raashtra-Pitaa’ title of Mahatma Gandhi.
They should not. Even if ideally no one can claim to be ‘Pitaa’ (Father) of
India as it has been a well-known entity from the time immemorial, the case of
today’s India as geographically defined current territory is different. There
is no harm in accepting Mahatma Gandhi as Father of Nation, he being one of the
main leaders, a father figure (people spontaneously addressed him as ‘Baapu’-Father)
and internationally acclaimed person who shaped what is currently known in
world as “India”. The word, ‘father’ is applied not to only a biological father,
but also to creator of things too. To the best of my knowledge, there is no
title or position as ‘Raashtra-Pitaa’ (Father of Nation), specified in the Indian
constitution. Therefore, at best it is only an informal term, lovingly bestowed
by her people.
Chances that above feared
feud may take place among argumentative Indians can be eliminated to a great
extent and transition can be made from ‘Pati’ to ‘Pramukh’, if incumbent
President himself takes lead and requests for change in his Indian language title.
His English language title ‘President’ needs no change.
‘Pati’ of Indian ‘Raashtra’
is an outrageous idea.
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