Lok Sabha passes 'Keralam' Bill, BJP chief hails milestone

India is a big country made up of many states, and one of those states is called Kerala.

The country's central lawmakers, who meet in a group called the Lok Sabha, have now passed a special law to change Kerala's official name to its traditional name, Keralam.

That means on official government papers and maps, the state will be written as Keralam.

Many people in Kerala feel the name Keralam better represents the state's old culture and heritage.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the leader of the BJP party in Kerala, said this was a proud day for everyone from the state.

He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for listening to the people of Kerala.

The law was passed quickly with a voice vote, without a long debate, and with some shouting in the parliamentary chamber.

Changing a state's name is a serious matter because state names are written in India's Constitution.

Following the rules, Kerala's own lawmakers had already agreed to the change, and then the central Parliament gave its final approval.

Now the Constitution will be updated so that the words Kerala are replaced with Keralam.