A significant move has been taken by the Maharashtra state cabinet, which approved the idea to rename Pune Airport after Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, who represents Pune. This renaming idea is not new and has been in discussions with local actors and citizens. The renaming is tied to the important concepts of regional actors and regional identity.
This naming proposal is also reflective of a larger pattern across the entire country, in which airports and public works/facilities are being renamed after either local leaders or historical figures. Mohol’s plan is to name airport after notable figures from Pune, which is an important place historically and culturally in India.
This perceived airport renaming strategy supports the idea of reinforcing Pune’s identity and demonstrating it’s impressive legacy, given Pune’s extensive history and importance in education, technology and culture.
While there are varying reactions to the cabinet’s decision, responses appear to be majority in favor of renaming and supporting the value of the legacy of Pune’s notable people. For instance, supporters of renaming the airport argued it reminds the citizens to experiment a fight for their identity and pride of those who faced adversity.
On the other hand, skeptics question whether the renaming should be worth the cost, reprinting, re-documenting by the airline industry, and the public awareness of all of those changes.
As the cabinet approved the change, it should be followed up by a legislative process, both making the airport name change real and, making the needed administrative changes. The aviation national process could cause complications for Mohol, as airport planning airports change out of the legacy respect of individuals, rather out from privatizing airport transportation of cities or large regions of the Indian landscape.
This action is also part of a reckoning across Maharashtra and India, where local governments have also been taking initiatives to induce local identity into some level of recognition. A renewed appreciation for local identity feels timely in a climate that espouses national pride and identity.
The Maharashtra cabinet’s decision to approve Pune Airport’s name change is a notable event signifying a community’s identity and heritage’s value. Throughout the proposed changes, it will be important to include members of that community in the change’s development to constitute a contestable plan that positively enhances the city’s and local airport’s prominence both nationally and internationally.
