Leisure Valley Park is one of the most iconic landmarks of Gurgaon. Apart from serving as venue for Indian artists like
Arijit Singh,
Diljit Dosanjh, Raftaar, and Nucleya, the HUDA Grounds in Leisure Valley Park have also hosted international names such as Guns N’ Roses,
Skrillex and
Akon. The venue also regularly hosts Sunday runs and marathons, apart from local events and even protests. It was also where Gurgaon’s first pride parade began in 2016. However, from now on, no event will be hosted at Leisure Valley Park. Not because the venue is being razed or closed, but because it’s being renamed. On Friday, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) authorised the renaming of the park to
Maharana Pratap Swarn Jayanti Park. Officials say the name change has been done to honour Maharana Pratap. The move has evoked mixed responses from Gurugrammers, with some criticising the authorities for changing the name of a landmark that is well known, while others argue the change won’t do any harm.
Akon performed in Leisure Valley Park in 2011
Name change has no logic, say residents
Several residents say that the decision to change the name does not make sense because unlike the Gurugram-Gurgaon change, Leisure Valley Park has never been known by any other name. Rita Arora, who lives close to the park, says, “I don’t understand the rationale behind this change. Leisure Valley Park has existed in the city for decades. It’s not as if earlier it was called something else. It’s become a famous name in itself. Why add to confusion by renaming it? I’m pretty sure residents will continue calling it Leisure Valley Park. Sirf paper par naam change hoga.”
Many wonder that if the authorities wanted to honour Maharana Pratap, couldn’t they have done so through a new memorial or park in his name? Harish Ansal, a Sushant Lok resident, asks, “While I appreciate the sentiment of naming the park after Maharana Pratap, was it necessary to rename an existing landmark? Why couldn’t you build or design a new park or landmark in his name?”
The name Leisure Valley Park has an international appeal to it: Event organisers
Among the worried lot are event organisers, who wonder if the new name will carry the same appeal to artists. Manoj Singh, who works in event management in NCR, says, “I remember a foreign artist a few years ago, who was very particular about where he performed, only agreeing to perform in Gurgaon because he found the venue’s name fancy. Or so the story goes! I don’t know if the new name will have the same international appeal or not. Leisure Valley Park is a name that is known even internationally.”
Several event organisers say they will continue to call it Leisure Valley Park when pitching the venue to artists. Randhir, an event organiser from Delhi, argues, “We will still sell this venue as Leisure Valley Park. That is the name artists remember. Arijit Singh has performed twice here. Names like
Atif Aslam, Raftaar and Diljit Dosanjh have all performed here. They recognise it. Name change will create confusion.”
Atif Aslam also performed in Leisure Valley Park in 2014
But what’s in a name, many ask
However, many residents argue that the name change will not change anything for the park and the adjoining grounds. Divya Katoch, a Sector 43 resident, says, “It is almost like the Gurgaon-Gurugram name change. Changing the name to Gurugram did nothing to the city – we still call it Gurgaon. I’m assuming it will be the same for Leisure Valley Park also. It’s not as if the place will change drastically with the name change. And like Shakespeare said, what’s in a name?”
Deepesh Singh, who frequents the park for his morning runs, adds, “It’s not as if the name change will render the park useless. Concerts will still be held here. I will still go there for my morning runs. The park will still look and feel the same. In time, we might even get used to the new name. I don’t see the reason for any brouhaha over it.”
Guns N’ Roses performed here in 2012
Arijit Singh during his performance at Leisure Valley Park earlier this year
