Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

India May Rename Shimla As Shyamala To End 'Mental Slavery' of British Colonial Era

In a bid to end oppressive mental slavery of the past, India is likely to rename British colonial government’s former summer capital, Simla located in country’s northern Himalayan region.

The local unit of country’s Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) in Shimla wants to rename the hill town established by the British in 1864 after the name of Hindu goddess, Shyamala Devi.


Before the arrival of British to Shimla, the hill town was known as Shyamala. Himachal Pradesh state chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said last week that his government would seek opinion of the people on the demand to rename the historic hill town.

Hindu right wing organisations, such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) or World Hindu Council are also urging the concerned for Shimla’s renaming.

According to VHP head Aman Puri, sticking to the names of the places given by the British oppressors is a symbol of mental slavery. Changing such names is tiny thing but significant step in renouncing it (servitude), Puri noted.

In a bid to resurrect India’s rich past, India’s federal and state governments have started a nationwide movement to rename several towns. In such a move, country’s northern Uttar Pradesh state renamed holy town Allahabad as Prayagraj, the ancient name it was known by five centuries earlier.

Puri of Shimla’s VHP said that British had a problem in pronouncing Shyamala and thus changed its name as Simla, which remained until India’s independence 1947.

However, in 1972, as per the measures undertaken by the Indian government to reorganise the Indian states, the name Simla turned as Shimla and till today the hill town has been known that way.

VHP also urging the government to rename another hill town Dalhousie located in Himachal Pradesh which is named after Dalhousie, India’s governor General from 1848 to 1856 who was notorious for his the doctrine of lapse, an annexation policy.

The VHP wants Dalhousie to be renamed after Subhash Chandra Bose, an anti-British revolutionary.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less