The official residence of the Governor of Odisha will now be known as ‘Lok Bhavan’, following a notification issued on Monday, signifying a significant shift in the state’s administrative identity. In accordance with a direction from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati accepted the renaming.
Announcing the change, the Governor said the new name reflects a greater relationship between governance and residents, responding to the spirit of transparency and public participation envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Lok Bhavan reflects openness, accessibility and partnership between the administration and the people,” he added, adding that the move intends to enhance citizen empowerment and inclusive development.

According to the Governor, the facility will continue to act as a crucial interface for public dialogue and consultation, now with an enlarged emphasis on democratic engagement.

“Happy to share a meaningful milestone for Odisha as Raj Bhavan is now Lok Bhavan, a name that truly reflects the aspirations of our people. Inspired by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and coordinated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, this shift underlines our commitment to openness, accessibility, and a better public connect. Lok Bhavan today stands as a lively arena for public engagement and inclusive progress, demonstrating our desire to build wider participation in governance. I am proud to oversee this transformation for Odisha. The Governor tweeted, #LokBhavan.

An key turning point in Odisha's administrative development, the renaming has been portrayed as an attempt to abandon colonial nomenclature and embrace a people-first approach to governing.