Order from Union Home Ministry: Raj Bhavans in India to be renamed Lok Bhavans

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Governor's headquarters, Raj Bhavan, will now be known as Lok Bhavan. The name change is as per the order of the Union Home Ministry. With the issuance of the order by the Centre, Kerala Raj Bhavan will also become Lok Bhavan.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has instructed officials to implement the name change immediately and use the name Lok Bhavan in all official documents and communications. The process for this will be completed as soon as the Governor returns from Mumbai on Sunday night. By Tuesday, the word Lok Bhavan will be written in gold letters at the entrance of the Raj Bhavan in Vellayambalam.

The 12-hectare Raj Bhavan is the official residence and office of the Governor. There were three Raj Bhavans when the state of Kerala was formed in 1956. The Government Guest House at Thycaud, the Bolgatty Palace in Ernakulam, and the Devikulam Palace. The Bolgatty and Devikulam Palaces were handed over to the Departments of Renovation and Tourism. The palace, which was used as a guesthouse by the Travancore royal family, was converted into the Raj Bhavan.

Wartime military headquarters

• This building was the War Office and the official residence of the Chief of Army Staff of Travancore Army from 1914 to 1918 during World War I.
• Guest Palace of the Royal Family from 1919. Guesthouse of the University of Travancore from 1937.
• 71 quarters for staff, hospital, post office, library, garden, playgrounds, farms, bandstands.
• Presidential suite with luxurious facilities for the President, Vice President and Prime Minister.