7 Race Course Road
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7, Race Course Road is the official residence of the Prime Minister of India. It is the address of the Prime Minister's house. the name of PM House is Panchavati. It is often referred to as 7,RCR
Unlike the white house it does not house the PM's Office which is PMO (Prime Minister Office). It is located in the North Block.
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[edit] History
Panchavati was not the original PM house till mid 80's.
The 7, Race Course Road (7 RCR) was prepared and selected specially for the Prime Minister residence after assassination of Prime minister Indira Gandhi. the PM before lived in their own houses or houses allotted to them through Parliament allotment by virtue of being an MP in India.
Jawaharlal Nehru resided in Teen murti Bhawan Which used to be the residence of the chief of Services in the British times. The next PM of India Lal Bhadur Shastri chose 10 Janpath as the PM house. It later was converted as the Congress(I) President house. Indira Gandhi was allotted 1,Safdarjung Road which was best suited for PM needs in terms of space.
After the assassination of Indira Gandhi at her 1,Safdarjung Road garden by her 2 body guard that bungalow was converted into a Museum- Indira Gandhi memorial museum
The security concern now needed the new PM to move in a big and secure place. It was hence decided to have a Permanent PM house which any person becoming Prime minster of India will occupy.
When a new PM is nominated his original house is for the time being given a security detail. He is then advised to move in the 7RCR at the earliest.
Rajiv Gandhi and his family became the first occupant of Panchavti.
3, Race Course Road is the Private Residential Zone for the PM though he operates from 7, Race Course Road.
Former PM V P Singh Made it into a permanent residence of the Prime Minister.
The current occupant of 7, RCR is Dr.Manmohan Singh.
[edit] PANCHAVATI
As the house was built in the 80's much of its interiors are simple and elegant.
7 RCR has a secretarial staff which looks after PM daily needs.
Though the Indian PM does not have his office inside the 7 RCR, but for informal meetings, 7 RCR has conference room. This is not the cabinet room It is located in PMO. PM meets heads of political parties here.
[edit] Controversy
In 2003, there were reports of some estate agent selling the PM residence, 7 Race Course Road to a business man from England.
On June 28 2006, 3 youngsters tried to get into 7 Race Course Road in a black Hyundai Sonata breaching the residence's security cordon. The incident is currently under investigation.
[edit] References
Excerpted from: The Tribune, Chandigarh: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031208/main5.htm]