Guru Ghasidas University to replace ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in degrees, marksheets

Bilaspur: A central university in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur has decided to replace the word "India" with "Bharat" in its marksheets, degree certificates and official communications, its top official said on Saturday. Guru Ghasidas Central University took the decision, and its standing committee passed a resolution to this effect about six months ago, the university's Vice Chancellor Alok Kumar Chakrawal said.

"Gradually, the word 'Bharat' will replace 'India' in marksheets, degrees and official communications," he told PTI. At present, university marksheets and degree certificates carry references to both India and Bharat in English and Hindi respectively. Under the new decision, "India" appearing in English will also be replaced with "Bharat", he said. Chakrawal added that the change will be implemented once the existing stock of marksheets and degree certificates is exhausted.

Explaining the rationale behind the move, the VC referred to the use of the term "Bharat" during the G20 Summit hosted by India in 2023. "During the G20 meetings last year, the Honourable President used the word 'Bharat' in an official dinner invitation. When the highest constitutional authority in the country follows this tradition, we are also following it. It is a matter of our tradition," he said.

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Chakrawal said the term "Bharat" has deep roots in Indian civilisation and culture. "Historically, the region of Aryavarta and Jambudweep has been referred to as Bharat. The name India was given by foreigners for their convenience. We need not be guided by what outsiders thought. Our culture and tradition have always referred to the country as Bharat, and we are making an effort to reinforce that tradition," he said.

He added that people have used different names for the country over time, reflecting their own understanding, and he did not wish to comment on those interpretations. Meanwhile, officials of some state universities, including Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in Raipur and Atal Bihari Vajpayee University in Bilaspur, said no such decision had been taken by their institutions so far and no guidelines had been issued by the authorities in this regard.