"In the Malayalam language, the state, which draws millions of domestic and foreign tourists each year, has always been called Keralam. Kera means coconut tree and alam means land making Keralam the land of coconut trees. Kerala produces nearly 45% of India's coconuts."
"Supporters say the change, which won unanimous cross-party backing in the Kerala state assembly, is about dignity and linguistic authenticity. Kerala's chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, who leads the leftwing alliance in power, said the state should be known by the name its people use."
"The name change fits into a broader Indian pattern, which has accelerated under Modi, of reclaiming Indigenous spellings and shedding colonial baggage: Mumbai was once Bombay; Chennai was Madras; Kolkata replaced Calcutta; Bengaluru took the place of Bangalore, and the eastern state of Odisha was formerly Orissa."
Kerala, India's southern coastal state, will be officially renamed Keralam following cabinet approval. The change aligns the English name with Malayalam pronunciation, the state's primary language. Keralam means 'land of coconut trees' in Malayalam, as kera means coconut and alam means land. Kerala produces 45% of India's coconuts. The state assembly unanimously backed the proposal, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan supporting the change as a matter of dignity and linguistic authenticity. The rename fits India's broader pattern of reclaiming indigenous spellings and removing colonial influences, following similar changes like Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore). Parliamentary approval is expected before implementation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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