India to drop 'His Excellency'

12 October 2012 06:40 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Colonial era words like 'His Excellency' used for addressing state dignitaries in India will soon be passe. Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has approved a new set of protocol to be used in greetings and meetings dignitaries inside and outside the country.

Besides, Mukherjee has also directed authorities to organise government functions for him within the Rashtrapati Bhavan premises in order to reduce the burden on police and the inconvenience caused to people.

"Use of the words 'His Excellency' will be discontinued while organising functions within the country and during interaction between Indian dignitaries and the President.

"In Hindi, 'Rashtrapati Mahoday' should be used in place of 'Mahamahin' during such occasions," a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman said in a statement today.

Mukherjee, after reviewing the current protocol practices, also directed that the word "Hon'ble" will be used before the title of 'President' or 'Governor'. The traditional Indian greeting of "Shri" or "Smt" should precede the name.

Whereas, "Excellency" will be used only for interaction of leaders with foreign dignitaries as is customary international practice, it said.

It has also been decided that the word 'Rashtrapati Ji' will replace 'Mahamahim' in official notings in the President's Secretariat.

Officials said all changes in protocol practice, which have been conveyed to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action, will be implemented with immediate effect.

"Taking into account inconvenience caused to public during his movement within the city and in order to reduce the burden on police and other agencies, the President has instructed that, to the best extent possible, all functions be organised within Rashtrapati Bhavan premises itself," it added.

Mukherjee was sworn in as the 13th President of the country on July 25 this year. (PTI)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 20

Jagath Friday, 12 October 2012 08:10 AM

Sri lanka should follow through

Medalankara de Chopp Sunday, 14 October 2012 07:11 AM

What Excellency - it require people to be excellent, are they?

Anonymous Saturday, 13 October 2012 12:24 AM

Sri Lanka should also follow suit

Hussain Friday, 12 October 2012 11:44 PM

Its time archaic terms of address be dropped.

abi Friday, 12 October 2012 12:00 AM

will our brown noses learn a lesson? via DM Android App

sach Friday, 12 October 2012 09:51 AM

good move, SL should adopt it.

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 12 October 2012 12:00 AM

A very good move in keeping with the times. It is high time we too in Sri Lanka stop referring to an elected President as a "King" and also refrain from calling uneducated fellows as "Doctor" because it is an insult to those who had earned Doctorates through sheer academic achievements. via DM Android App

lasantha Friday, 12 October 2012 08:58 AM

Sri Lanka should follow suit ; not even in UK do they use these prefixes, Hon Prime Minister is how they are addressed and this is good enough for Sri Lanka too.

Gangnam Style Friday, 12 October 2012 08:25 AM

But sadly we are going towards Ven.President

Greasepiya Friday, 12 October 2012 08:23 AM

Don't drop SL HE.

John Friday, 12 October 2012 06:54 AM

Can we not follow this practice in SL too with central secured locations for govt functions, without the inconvenience and chaos caused on public roads?

LOL Friday, 12 October 2012 07:57 AM

your name tells you are a big War-Elephant and a #1 fool

Big Ears Friday, 12 October 2012 07:56 AM

Our boot liking politicians use this at every turn.

Yuri Friday, 12 October 2012 07:40 AM

Well it took more then 50 years to think freely... keep it up

Imran Hussein Friday, 12 October 2012 07:20 AM

Indian Nimal Siripala.

The Devil wears Bata Friday, 12 October 2012 12:00 AM

and we will soon adopt "your Majesty" via DM Android App

Ranjith Silva Friday, 12 October 2012 07:13 AM

The term "Colonial" is not an honor. Its is the taste of "Slavery" wanting to be servants for comfort. 99.99 % of Sri Lankans may oppose this change as they all like to slaves of the masters. Who would dare to change the Torrrington Place? Are we not using the Bullers lane still? These are Slavery and not colonial!.

malkanthi Friday, 12 October 2012 06:58 AM

His excellency should be used only when addressing the president since India being a vast country it must be a nuisance with too many dignitaries!!

warElephant Friday, 12 October 2012 06:53 AM

what a bloody fool

nyborena Friday, 12 October 2012 06:51 AM

As you wish Hon. G(ji). Sri(Shri) Lanka dropped many.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

India to drop 'His Excellency'

Comments - 20

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Suspicious death of 23-year-old woman at hotel sparks concerns

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

New Visa procedure implemented

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win