If we must rename Gurgaon, then let us also split the city and give them different identities. Old Gurgaon can keep its traditional ways and means while the Millennium City can be developed into a new age smart city

Renaming of cities has now become a staple exercise for our leaders, irrespective of the party they belong to. Notably, the change in name is often timed, when an election is scheduled or when it is in the works. This time, the Manohar lal Khattar-led Haryana Government has decreed that Gurgaon will become Gurugram.

While various State Governments have changed the names of cities on previous occasions, this is just a frivolous exercise. Our leaders, instead of focusing on good administration and good governance, land up changing names. They seem to revel in such infructuous work. They do so for two reasons: First, they believe it will result in electoral gains and, second, they hope it will distract the public.

This writer wonders if the residents of Gurgaon were asked for their views about the name change. It is quite possible that the Haryana Government decided to bring this change due to the adverse fallout of the recent Jat agitation.

It is for such political reasons that Madras became Chennai, Poona became Pune, Bombay became Mumbai and Calcutta became Kolkata. Reportedly, Karnataka has had the maximum name changes of its cities in the last few years, commencing with the State capital, which has become Bengaluru from Bangalore.

In absence of any empirical data, it is difficult to say whether such actions achieved their aim or not or to what extent was it successful. Whatever, such actions have one benefit: The leader, who has brought about the change, can boast that he is not a staid, run of the mill politician, but one who changes the status quo. Most people disagree — they feel that it is one more idiosyncrasy of our politicians.

The reason for the name change, as stated by the Haryana Government, is that during the epic era, sage Dronacharya had his ashram here and he was the guru of both the Kauravas and the Pandavas. This may have been a plausible reason for the Hindutva brigade and sundry others but there is no gain

in this for the inhabitants

of Gurgaon.

Every individual, shop, office and corporate enterprise will lose money in printing new stationary, new signage and so on. The change of signage of State Government offices, municipal corporation and other offices of the Government and similar entities will cost even more to the exchequer. Is it a worthwhile exercise thenIJ

While the residents of Gurgaon have apparently taken the name change in their stride, some more thought could have been given so that the residents are benefitted in some way. This writer has a suggestion that is perhaps bolder and better.

It is well appreciated by the public, as well as the Governments at the State and local bodies’ level that our burgeoning cities need to be made smaller and manageable, so that the municipal authorities and other service providers are able to give them all facilities to lead comfortable lives. If this proposition is correct and acceptable, then the present city of Gurgaon should be split into two — with different and independent municipal corporations and other services like better utilities, inner roads, less vehicular congestion and so on.

We already have two Gurgaons — the old Gurgaon or Gurgawan as it was known earlier and which has existed for centuries; and the new one, known better as the Millennium City. The older one is staid and laid back while the new one is all glass, aluminium, chrome, Italian marble and modular kitchens, wide roads, albeit encroached and full of speed-breakers and potholes, and the abode of the nouveau riche. 

The old city can continue to be called Gurgaon or with the changed name of Gurugram, although in a few years, most people will forget the so-called connection with sage Dronacharya. Soon, on account of the prefix guru, it may become a city of gurus of all varieties. If the gurus are connected with education, that will be invaluable, for then the growth of the newly named Gurugram would be as an educational hub. However, if different categories of gurus flock to the city then it would have the biggest negative connotations, for instead of becoming an education hub it may become a charlatan’s hub.

let Millennium City be separated from Gurgaon and be given a new name, in consultation with the residents. The Government would then be able to make it a new city not just in name, but one which will become a truly well planned and even a ‘smart’ city.

With both cities vying with each other, residents of both will have stability and peace. Both cities would become better managed by their respective municipal corporations and the respective district officials will have better control over law and order and administration.

(The writer is a former Vice Chief of Army Staff)