India to be referred to as Bharat On official Commemorative plaques during Modi’s visit

Both ‘India and Bharat’ interchangeably used by Indian authorities 

Sri Lankan authorities will use name ‘India’ only 

Name India has roots in Indus river 

Indus valley civilization thrived on its banks, SL shares civilizational ties with it

By Kelum Bandara 

India will be referred to as the Republic of Bharat on Commemorative plaques to be unveiled in Sri Lanka during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Daily Mirror learns.  

The commemorative plaques will be unveiled in view of the groundbreaking of the Sampur solar energy project, the opening of cool storage complex in Dambulla and the commissioning of 5000 rooftop solar panels at 5000 places of religious worship.   

The names ‘India, Bharat and Hindustan three names are used interchangeably officially and by the public. 

They are recognised in the Indian Constitution. However, India is the most commonly used name all over the world.   
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government referred to the country as Bharat on official invitations sent to guests who attended the G 20 summit earlier. His government has started using the name ‘Bharat’ in official communications increasingly.   

During President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi in December, last year, the Indian authorities referred to their President Droupadi Murmu as the President of Bharat.   

Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6. During the visit, the Sri Lankan authorities will, however, use the name ‘India’ in official communications.   

The name ‘India’ has its roots in ‘Indus river (Sanskrit term ‘Sindhu) that flows across India. In history, the Greeks and Iranians adapted it as ‘Hindos’ or ‘Indos. Sri Lanka also shares civilizational ties with Indus valley civilisation which thrived along the banks of this river.   

The name ‘Bharat’ has a legacy in Indian scriptures and texts such as Vishnu Purana, Vedas and Mahabharata.