Welcome to India, where the streets have four names
Constantly renaming cities, roads and stations is pointless and counterproductive
AN UNDERAPPRECIATED PART of any government’s job is to name things. Schools, bridges, cities, laws, programmes—anything a state creates requires a name. And old names can sometimes become outmoded or offensive, requiring renaming.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Where the streets have four names”
From the September 7th 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Asia
Taiwan’s political drama is paralysing its government
Domestic dysfunction plays right into China’s hands
An angry culture war surrounds Australia Day
Conservatives claim that wokeness is destroying the national holiday
The fate of a ranting driver raises doubts about the “new” Uzbekistan
It seems free speech is not so guaranteed after all
Indian politicians are becoming obsessed with doling out cash
Handouts are transforming the role of the state—perhaps for the worse
How to end the nightmare of Asia’s choked roads
The middle classes love cars but hate traffic
Can Donald Trump maintain Joe Biden’s network of Asian alliances?
Discipline and creativity will help, but so will China’s actions