Naming of streets after local heroes is common practice in India but not so in the UK.
LONDON: Mumbai has two important places - airport and railway station - named after its local hero Chhatrapati Shivaji, and almost every district town, city or metro in the country has at least one street, square or park named after the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Naming of streets after local heroes is common practice in India but not so in the UK. However a new government report suggests that the naming of public places after local achievers should be done as it enhances community cohesion.
James Hulme, the author of the report by the New Local Government Network, has suggested that names such as Shakespeare Way or Nelson Road “help to celebrate our identity and remember British history”. He also claims that areas can be given a unique identity by being named after successful citizens and that local pride would be built at the same time.
Hulme has suggested that contemporary icons should also be celebrated and for example Manchester should name a park after footballer David Beckham and Edinburgh could have a public library named after the creator of Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling. “It would be a strong sign that local areas are proud of their heritage and be an opportunity to enlighten newcomers and tourists,” said Hulme.
The Local Government Minister, John Healey backed the idea suggesting that councils should organise public votes to chose the heroes they would like to honour. “This would be great for local democracy and local pride,” said Healey. “They may choose national icons. But they may also choose their community’s unsung heroes, those who serve others and win the respect and admiration of the people around them,” he added.
Recently Liverpool has named its airport after the famous Beatle, John Lennon. In Dartford in Kent, where Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones grew up, streets on a new housing estate are to be named after their best known hits — Ruby Tuesday and Satisfaction.
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