Keralam: Why was the name of Kerala changed? Learn the process of changing the name of a state..
The southern coastal state of Kerala is currently in the news for its name. The Left Front (LDF) government in Kerala had issued a proposal to change the name of the state from "Kerala" to "Keralalam," which has now been approved by the central government. Following the central government's approval, changes can now be made to the Constitutional Schedule. Consequently, people are increasingly curious about the meanings of the names "Kerala" and "Keralalam."
In this article, we will explain why Kerala's name is being changed and what the name "Kerala" means. We will also explore how a state's name is changed and the constitutional process followed to officially designate a new state name.
Why in the News
The people of Kerala are extremely sensitive to their language and culture. The people of Kerala speak Malayalam, and in Malayalam, the state is called "Keralaam," while in English and Hindi, it is pronounced and written as Kerala. It should be noted that on June 24, 2024, the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to change the state's name to "Keralaam." This resolution called for the state to be renamed Keralalam. It also noted that the state's name is listed as Kerala in the First Schedule of the Constitution.
How Kerala Got Its Name
The original name of the state in Malayalam is "Keralalam." However, the state's name is listed as "Kerala" in government documents. This actually dates back to after independence, when states were being formed based on language. The state of Kerala was formed on November 1, 1956, under the States Reorganization Act. However, the drafters of the Constitution changed its name to Kerala. Although the state's language is listed as Malayalam in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, the state's name is listed as Kerala in government documents.
Connotation Associated with Coconut
The state's name is associated with the coconut. In Malayalam, 'kera' means 'coconut tree' and 'alam' means land. When these two words are combined, it becomes 'land of coconut trees.' Thus, 'Kerala' means the land of coconut trees.
What is the process for changing the name of a state?
In India, there is a lengthy constitutional process for changing the name of any state. Although changing a state's name is not easy, under Article 3 of the Constitution, the state has full authority to change its name. Four steps are crucial for changing the name of any state, as follows:
Starting with the State Legislative Assembly: For any state whose name needs to be changed, the government issues a resolution in the Legislative Assembly, after which a report is sent to the Union Home Ministry.
Presidential Permission Required: After the central government's approval, the file is sent to the President for his assent.
Passage of the Bill in Parliament is Required: After receiving the President's approval, a special bill is introduced in Parliament. However, a simple majority in both Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, is required for the bill to be passed.
Final Step: After the bill is passed by Parliament, it is signed by the President. Finally, a notification is issued in the Gazette, granting the official name to the state.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Dainik Jagran. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
