Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Bengal keeps 'Paschim Banga' name, joins Har Ghar Tiranga campaign
There is a big state in India called West Bengal, also known as Paschim Banga.
Its new leader, Suvendu Adhikari, is the Chief Minister.
Some people earlier wanted to change the state's name to Bangla.
The central government in India said no, because Bangla sounds too much like Bangladesh, a neighboring country.
Now the new leader says the name Paschim Banga will stay because it is part of history.
The state will also join a special flag program called Har Ghar Tiranga for the first time.
The government will give out 70 lakh national flags, which is seven million flags.
There will be big flag walks, including one in Kolkata on August 10.
The government also gave money to more than 10 lakh families to help them build houses.
Each family got Rs 60,000 in the last payment, and the housing scheme is now called Paschim Banga Awas.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government will not rename the state 'Bangla', calling the current name 'Paschim Banga' rooted in history.
The Centre had earlier rejected the previous government's bill to rename the state, over concerns that 'Bangla' sounds like Bangladesh.
The state will join the Centre's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign for the first time, distributing 70 lakh national flags across all districts and subdivisions.
A Kolkata Tiranga rally is planned for August 10 from the Netaji statue to Birla Planetarium, with at least 50,000 participants expected.
The Cabinet renamed the housing scheme 'Banglar Bari' to 'Paschim Banga Awas' and released Rs 60,000 each to 10,20,379 beneficiaries, with a total outlay of over Rs 6,000 crore.
- Who
- Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister of the BJP-led West Bengal government, and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose government had earlier sought the name change.
- What
- The government refused to rename the state 'Bangla', announced first-time participation in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign with 70 lakh flags, and renamed the housing scheme 'Banglar Bari' to 'Paschim Banga Awas'.
- When
- Announced on Thursday after a Cabinet meeting, ahead of Independence Day; the Kolkata rally is scheduled for August 10.
- Where
- West Bengal, including Kolkata and Adhikari's Bhabanipur assembly constituency.
- Why
- Adhikari said 'Paschim Banga' is rooted in history, and the Centre earlier rejected the name 'Bangla' over possible confusion with Bangladesh.
Adhikari government's position
Banerjee and previous government's position
Renaming the state
Adhikari government's position
The name 'Paschim Banga' cannot be changed because it is rooted in history, and the next generation should know that history.
Banerjee and previous government's position
The previous Mamata Banerjee government passed a bill to rename the state 'Bangla'; after the Centre approved Kerala's renaming to Keralam, Banerjee accused the government of being 'anti-Bengal'.
- Chief Minister
- Suvendu Adhikari
- State
- West Bengal (Paschim Banga)
- Proposed name
- Bangla (rejected by Centre)
- Flags to be distributed
- 70 lakh
- Kolkata Tiranga rally
- August 10, Netaji statue to Birla Planetarium
- Housing scheme
- Renamed 'Banglar Bari' to 'Paschim Banga Awas'
- Beneficiaries
- 10,20,379 received Rs 60,000 each; total outlay over Rs 6,000 crore
- Kerala renaming
- Approved as 'Keralam' in February this year