Noida,jul 10:
Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh on Monday called for the renaming of Allahabad to Prayag.Recalling the efforts of state Governor Ram Naik, Singh said that Naik was instrumental in renaming Bombay as Mumbai during his stint as MP from Maharashtra .Speaking to ANI, Singh said, “UP Governor Ram Naik had helped Bombay to be renamed as Mumbai. I have written to him to consider renaming Allahabad as ‘Prayag’.”In 2001, then Chief Minister Rajnath Singh and Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri were also in favour of changing the name change of Allahabad to Prayagraj but the promise remained unfulfilled. Former Union minister Kalraj Mishra was the state BJP president at that time.The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government may rechristen Allahabad as Prayagraj and a decision in this regard could be taken before next year’s Kumbh Mela in the holy city.The city, if the decision is taken, will be named after Prayag which is a famous holy place in Allahabad where three main rivers flowing across namely Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati meet. Further, the place is also known for hosting Kumbh Mela once in every 12 years.Though Yogi’s meeting with the Akhara Parishad on Tuesday was held in view of preparation for the coming Ardh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad in early 2019, the Parishad members also raised the issue of fake godmen who were giving a bad name to Hindu religion. “The CM assured us that he would take stern steps against these fake ‘babas’ and promised that no facility will be provided to them during the next Ardh Kumbh Mela at Allahabad,” Mahant Giri said. The Akhara Parishad announced that they would boycott 14 fake saints and appealed to the masses not to get attached with them.
