Mumbai, Dec 2 (NationPress) The title of Maharashtra Raj Bhavan has been formally updated to Maharashtra Lok Bhavan as of Tuesday.

In alignment with directives from the Union government, the Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, instructed the Maharashtra Raj Bhavan Secretariat to implement this change promptly.

The Governor characterized this decision as a forward-thinking initiative aimed at transforming Lok Bhavan into a more accessible, transparent, and public welfare-oriented institution.

He articulated that Lok Bhavan should transcend its role as merely the Governor's residence and office, evolving into a vibrant hub for communication and interaction with citizens, diverse community groups, students, researchers, farmers, and civil organizations from across the state.

The Governor further highlighted that the primary aim of this renaming is to establish Lok Bhavan as a robust link of service, collaboration, and engagement between the government and the populace.

Moreover, he mentioned that Lok Bhavan will not be limited to its constitutional duties but will genuinely resonate with the hopes, dreams, and daily issues faced by society, embodying the true essence of a Lok Bhavan.

Currently, eight states and one Union Territory have transitioned their 'Raj Bhavans' to 'Lok Bhavan.' This adjustment follows guidance from the Union Home Ministry aimed at dismantling remnants of the colonial 'Raj' concept, reflecting a wider initiative to eradicate the colonial mindset.

The states that have adopted the name change include West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Gujarat, and Tripura.

Furthermore, in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the official residence and office of the Lieutenant Governor, previously known as Raj Niwas, will now be referred to as Lok Niwas.

The government stated that this renaming aligns with the nation's goal of moving away from colonial-era language and adopting terms that better reflect democratic governance and public engagement.