The name “Bharat” has long-standing historical and cultural significance in India. According to the history of our country, the term ‘Bharat’ was used to refer to the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years. We have terms like ‘Mahabharata’ and ‘Bharatvarsh’ in ancient Indian texts. When India gained independence from the British in 1947, ‘India’ was adopted as the official name of the country. However, ‘Bharat’ has been retained in Hindi and other Indian languages.
This dual nomenclature was enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Article 1 of the Constitution states, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is speculated to change India’s official name to ‘Bharat’ in the upcoming 5-day Parliament sessions that are set to take place from September 18. According to the Economic Times, the government is likely to bring a resolution during the special sessions.
On top of that, the Central Government sent out a dinner invitation for the G20 Summit in Delhi in the name of the ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the standard ‘President of India’, reported Indian Express.
In light of this news, a section of people online have been dealing with the information in the best way they can – humour. Here’s a look at the funniest reactions to this news:
IITians will now be called BITians and that means there will be no difference between students who are from actual BIT and new BIT (Formerly known as IIT).
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) September 5, 2023
since India is renamed as Bharat
Indigo will now be called pic.twitter.com/gl9DIRRofu— shubh 𝕏 (@Shubh4_all0) September 5, 2023
big day for bits pilani students as all iits will now be called bits after india's name change to bharat
— vishal dayama (@VishalDayama) September 5, 2023
'Miss Bharat' is going to sound really gender fluid.
— Kajol Srinivasan (@LOLrakshak) September 5, 2023
Bharath Petroleum is safe 🙂
— Sandeep Hegde (@SandeepHegde) September 5, 2023
Receptionist to CEO: “Sir, people from CBI are here. They are in conference room”
CEO, CFO quickly destroy all financial papers and go to meet CBI officials.
CBI official: “hello sir, wanted to invite you to our annual function. We are from Confederation of Bharatiya Industry.”— Satbir Singh (@thesatbir) September 5, 2023
The new abbreviation of BRICS, if India renames itself Bharat and the invited countries (Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE) join it next year, will be BARBIECUES.
— Velina Tchakarova (@vtchakarova) September 5, 2023
#BREAKING: India is likely to be renamed 'Bharat,' as per sources. pic.twitter.com/Q9bvY2LBxD
— Sameer Sewak (@Naa_Cheese) September 5, 2023
Bharat Petroleum Indian Oil
right now right now pic.twitter.com/3jDdsF8n4g— Shubham2.0 (@bhav_paaji) September 5, 2023
So Chris Hemsworth's daughter will also be called Bharat now??
— Xavier Uncle (@xavierunclelite) September 5, 2023
BSRO
— Out of Context ISRO (@isroprisdead) September 5, 2023
Indian Institute of Science will rename itself to Bharat Institute of Science or BISc.
Its students and alumni will be called BIScuits.
— peeleraja (@peeleraja) September 5, 2023
— Rishav Sharma (@rishav_sharma1) September 5, 2023
What are your views regarding this topic?