National Museum of India and France Museums Development (FMD) have signed an agreement under which the French agency will share processes and best practices to transform this British-era historical site into a global cultural destination. The museum has been named as ‘Epochal Bharat National Museum’.
Epochal Bharat National Museum
- Origin: Announced by the Prime Minister during the International Museum Expo in May 2023.
Objective and Significance
- To showcase India’s unbroken civilizational and cultural history.
- To promote inclusivity and community stories.
- An attempt to connect the past, present and future by combining India’s cultural heritage and modernity.
Ministry and Name
- Run by the Ministry of Culture.
- It has been named “Epochal Bharat National Museum”, which will provide new dimensions to the museum experience.
Part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project
- Will be completed in two phases.
- Phase I: Converting North Block into a museum by 2026.
- North Block: Offices of the Ministry of Finance and Home Affairs.
- South Block: Offices of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Huge size
- It will be spread over about 55 lakh square meters.
- Once built, it will become the largest museum in the world, surpassing the Louvre Museum in Paris.
- Conservation of architectural heritage: The architectural heritage of the North and South Blocks will be preserved through “adaptive re-use”.
- Important Days: International Museum Day: 18 May.
- Central Vista Redevelopment Project: The Central Vista Redevelopment Project is an ambitious plan to modernize and make useful the main administrative area of India located in the Raisina Hill area of New Delhi. This area is a symbol of India’s political, administrative and cultural heritage.
Objectives of the project
- The main objective of this project is to develop the Central Vista area as per the future needs.
- To preserve the sites symbolizing India’s democratic system, while equipping them with modern facilities.
- To ensure better utilization of administrative buildings and efficient management of spaces.
Main Sub-Projects: The Central Vista Development/Redevelopment Master Plan includes the following four major sub-projects:
- Construction of new Parliament House –
- Redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue –
- Construction of offices and residential complex of Prime Minister and Vice President –
- Construction of common Central Secretariat buildings: Various ministries and departments will be organized at one place.
The main part of Central Vista Avenue: This area is the center of India’s historical and cultural heritage, which includes the following major sites
- Kartavya Path and India Gate Lawns: The main place of national festivals and events.
- Rashtrapati Bhavan: The main constitutional site of India.
- North and South Blocks: The center of administrative offices.
- Parliament House: The centre of India’s legislative system.
- India Gate Monument: A symbol of patriotism and memory of martyrs.
- Significance and Benefits: The project will help in promoting administrative efficiency as well as preservation of national heritage.