‎New Delhi, Feb 13 (.) Declaring that India is “removing symbols of colonial legacy” and transforming the very ethos of governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dedicated the newly built Seva Teerth — the new Prime Minister’s Office — to the nation, calling it a milestone in the country’s journey towards a developed nation by 2047.
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Addressing a public programme at the new complex, Modi said the inauguration of Seva Teerth along with Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 marks “an important milestone in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat,” reflecting a firm commitment to citizen-centric governance and national progress.
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“We are removing symbols of colonial legacy. It is not only about changing names but also about changing our approach to governance,” the Prime Minister said, underlining that India must shed “every trace of colonial mindset” as it moves towards the centenary of Independence.
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Modi recalled the renaming of Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg as an example of this shift. “This was not merely a change of name. It was an effort to transform the mindset of power into a spirit of service,” he said.
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He described it as “unfortunate” that roads near key constitutional offices once carried colonial-era names. “The road along the Prime Minister’s residence was called Race Course Road and the one leading to the President’s House was Rajpath. In this journey of Viksit Bharat, it is necessary to shed the colonial mindset,” he said.
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The Prime Minister emphasised that Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans have been built “to fulfil the aspirations of the people of India, not of any monarch.”
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“I can say with pride that Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans are built to fulfil the aspirations of Indians, not of any monarch,” he said, drawing a sharp contrast between colonial-era administrative structures and the new vision of governance.
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Calling the new PMO a sacred space of public service, Modi said the name Seva Teerth embodies the foundational ethos of India.
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“Seva, or the spirit of service, is the soul of India. It is the identity of India,” he said. “For us, governance means service, and service is the biggest dharma.”
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Earlier in the day, while dedicating Seva Teerth to the nation, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his “unwavering resolve” to serve the people and invoked the guiding spirit of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’— the idea that citizens are akin to deities and must be treated with utmost respect and priority.
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He described Seva Teerth as “a radiant and powerful symbol of duty, compassion and commitment to the principle of India First.”
‎Looking ahead at the government’s vision of a developed India by 2047, Modi said the new complex would play a decisive role in shaping the country’s future.
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“Decisions taken in these new buildings will decide the course of our journey to emerge as a developed nation by 2047,” he said.
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He urged officials and employees working in the new premises to introspect daily. “While entering these buildings, every officer and employee must ponder whether their work that day will make life easier for people,” he said.
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“Dreams of citizens are our biggest assets; their aspirations should guide us,” Modi added, reiterating that people’s welfare must remain at the heart of policy-making.
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The inauguration of Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans comes amid the Centre’s broader push to reorient governance towards efficiency, accountability and public service, while symbolically distancing itself from colonial nomenclature and architecture.
‎Expressing hope for the future, the Prime Minister said Seva Teerth would inspire generations to walk the path of selfless service. “It should continue to motivate people to move forward with dedication for the well-being of every citizen,” he said.
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As India charts its course towards 2047, Modi positioned the new complex not merely as an administrative hub, but as a statement of intent: that the seat of power must reflect the spirit of service — and that a Viksit Bharat will be built not just with new infrastructure, but with a transformed mindset.
. SKA PRS