Today is September 18, the 262nd day of the calendar year (leap year). The story of today is quite interesting in the context of India. About 75 years ago, on this very day, it was decided how the world would address this newly independent nation. There was a prolonged debate about what the global name should be. Finally, two names were agreed upon: India, That Is Bharat.
The Nation Was Named Today
On September 18, 1949, the Constituent Assembly Meeting chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad convened to discuss the naming of the country. The Ambedkar Committee suggested two names: Bharat and India. Several others proposed different names, but the consensus settled on 'India, That Is Bharat.' Some opposed the name 'India.' Here's the full story of the naming process, the suggested names, and who opposed 'India.'
Opposition to the Name 'India' Back Then
75 years ago, H.V. Kamath of the All India Forward Bloc proposed changing the name from India to Bharat or Bharatvarsh. The proposal was rejected with 51 votes against and 38 in favor. It was the first time the name of the country was discussed in the Constituent Assembly under Dr. Rajendra Prasad's chairmanship.
Many Names Were Suggested for the Country
Dr. Ambedkar proposed the names Bharat and India. During the debate, Kamath mentioned that every child is named at birth, and soon India would be born. Other suggested names included Hindustan, Hind, Bharatvarsh, Bharat, and Bharatbhoomi.
Many Theories for the Origin of the Name 'Bharat'
The Constituent Assembly meeting on September 18, 1949, started with H.V. Kamath as the first speaker. He said, "This is the naming ceremony of the Indian Republic. If we didn't need a naming ceremony, we could keep the name India. But since we've reached a point where we must choose a name, the question arises: what should it be?" Kamath began delving into the origins of the name 'Bharat.'
Some Objected to the Sole Use of 'Bharat'
Kamath argued that 'Bharat' originated from the Vedic era and was the name of Dushyant and Shakuntala's son. Ambedkar opposed Kamath's proposal, questioning its purpose. At one point, a Forward Bloc leader said, "The name 'India' sounds strange, and Ambedkar should accept that it's one of the many mistakes taken while drafting the Constitution."
'India' Declared a Constitutional Error
Kamath said, "I believe 'India, That Is Bharat' is unfit for the Constitution." He termed it a constitutional mistake. Following Kamath, Brajeshwar Prasad from Bihar stated there wasn't an issue with either 'India' or 'Bharat.' He proposed that Article-1 in the Constitution should state, 'India, That Is Bharat.' Congress leader Kamalapati Tripathi also suggested that the name should reflect the country's historical background, proposing 'Bharat, That Is India.'
India, That Is Bharat
Seth Govind Das, another member of the Constituent Assembly, cited Chinese traveler Xuanzang's book, which referred to the country as 'Bharat.' He opposed the idea that naming the country 'Bharat' was regressive. The Assembly concluded with the decision to include 'India, That Is Bharat' in Article 1(1) of the Constitution.
Formation of the CIA Also Happened Today
On September 18, 1947, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was established under the National Security Act. Created as an independent civilian intelligence agency, the CIA had several driving reasons, particularly to prevent intelligence failures like Pearl Harbor.
Major Events and Programs
World Bamboo Day is celebrated on September 18 to raise awareness and recognize the importance of bamboo.
On September 18, 1986, female pilots in Mumbai flew a jet aircraft for the first time.
In 1502, Christopher Columbus reached Costa Rica on his last voyage.
In 1967, Nagaland adopted English as the official language for governance.
In 1919, women in Holland were granted the right to vote.
Hungary was admitted to the League of Nations on September 18, 1922.
