JOIN USThe Bangalore International Airport Limited recently announced that from December 14, Bengaluru International Airport will be known as Kempegowda International Airport, in honour of the City’s founder. The day will also mark the inauguration of the new terminal 1A. Bangaloreans are happy about the opening of the new terminal but sceptical about the renaming of the airport.
Many feel that this isn’t a good move because it could impact the City’s identity in the eyes of the outsiders. “The airport of any city is associated with its image globally. Changing the name might be easy but it has numerous consequences. For example, something as simple as pronouncing the name correctly will be a problem,” says Dev, an architect. “This is something that can’t really be opposed. There are a lot of airports around the world that are meaninglessly named. However, changing the name of the airport isn’t going to increase love for Kempegowda, if that’s what they’re hoping for,” he adds.
When Madras became Chennai, Calcutta became Kolkata and Bangalore became Bengaluru, many blatantly refused to accept the change.
With this viewpoint in mind, Munim Kazia, a software developer, says, “No one really cares about politicians running around renaming everything. It will always continue to be Bangalore Airport for us.”
Subrata Majumdar, a professional, opines that the authorities should have considered naming it CV Raman International Airport instead. “Bangalore is known for its scientific intellect, which forms the bedrock of the City’s IT boom. CV Raman, Nobel Laureate and the first Indian director of Indian Institute of Science, should have been an automatic choice to rename the BIA. It would have celebrated modernity of science over royalty.”
Others like Kanan Gill, a comedian, choose to see the humour in the situation. “I think it’s fantastic. I urge them to rename all the roads, localities and citizens to Kempegowda to avoid discrimination,” he jokes.
Of course, not everyone opposes the move. There are some who welcome it with pride. “I love it. Many airports are named after historical figures and Bangalore stood out like a sore thumb. There’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur among others. The only problem is that it is heavily disputed if Kempegowda was the actual founder of Bangalore according to various factions,” notes Karthik Hulikal, a lawyer.
Amanjot Babrah, an MBA student at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, adds, “I accept the move to name it after a respected person. But it’s not an easy name to remember or pronounce and it’ll take time for people to adapt to the change. Since it’s an inevitable move, the administration should educate travellers about Kempegowda’s deeds through pamphlets and flyers. That would make it a better tribute from our side.”