Change of name from ‘Ganga’ to ‘Grace’ sparks row

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A pro-RSS cultural forum here has taken objection to change of name of the official residence of Kerala Education Minister PK Abdu Rabb from "Ganga" to "Grace."


Rabb, an Indian Union Muslim League nominee in the UDF cabinet, however, said some quarters were trying to create unnecessary controversies over the issue.


In a statement, RSS ideologue P Parameswaran, Director of Bhartheeya Vichara Kendram, said there was no justification for changing the name of the official residences in accordance with the personal preference of its temporary occupants.


"More important, Ganga is the eternal symbol of Indian culture," he said.


When his comment was sought on Parameswaran's charge, Rabb said that he was not aware that the name of the house allotted to him was "Ganga".


He said when the Tourism Department allotted the residence to him he suggested "Grace" as the name of the house as it is the name of his own home at his native place.


Rabb said it was unfortunate that unnecessary controversies were being generated on issues like this while glossing over the good work he had done in the field of education in the last one year.


"Nobody wants to know what I have done in the department. Everybody is after controversies," he said.