Civic body finds space for both Birla,Deshmukh

But on Wednesday’s meeting,the civic body decided that instead of naming the lane in favour of any one individual,a tribute can be paid to both since both of them made significant contributions to the country.

It was proposed that the lane starting from Lodhi Garden Gate 2 to Max Mueller Marg be named after Deshmukh and the lane from Max Mueller Marg to Maharishi Marg after Birla. The first road is 234 metres in length while,the second is around 500 metres.

The proposal will be sent to the state government for approval next month. “It may take another three to four months for the names to be official,” said Mukesh Bhatt,member of the Council.

The road from Lodhi Garden gate 2 is home to some of the most important buildings in Delhi — the India International Centre Annexe,World Bank,UNICEF and UNDP.

The request for naming the road in Birla’s name had come from Shobhana Bhartia,his daughter and Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha.

The Council for Social Development had suggested the name of Deshmukh. It had demanded that the lane leading to the Gate 2 of Lodhi Garden be named after Deshmukh in her centenary year as a tribute to her dedicated work for the people.

Durgabai is called the mother of social work in India. A freedom fighter,parliamentarian,member of the Planning Commission and a pioneer in social development,she also was the first president of the Social Welfare Board.