PM Modi Unveils Plans For World's Largest National Museum At Newly Constructed ITPO Complex

While inaugurating the new convention centre at the redeveloped India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) complex in Pragati Maidan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered a glimpse into the upcoming Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum.

This museum is expected to be one of the largest in the world once completed.

Replacing the national museum, the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum will consist of multiple thematic segments that tell the story of India over a span of 5,000 years.

It will cover an area of 1.17 lakh square metres, encompassing both the North and South Blocks, and will feature 950 rooms.

The South Block currently houses important ministries such as the PMO, Defence Ministry, and External Affairs Ministry, while the North Block is home to the Finance Ministry and Home Ministry, among others.

As part of the redevelopment, the old museum will be integrated into Kartavya Path, previously known as Rajpath.

The new museum is designed to be more interactive, drawing inspiration from renowned museums like the British Museum. It is expected to incorporate audiovisual elements and virtual walkthroughs to enhance the visitor experience.

The new museum was included in the joint statement made during PM Modi's recent visit to France.

According to the statement, India and France, both nations rich in culture and history, will collaborate to showcase their heritage and pass it on to future generations. They also welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent for the National Museum of India project.

France will share its expertise in major cultural projects, such as the Grand Louvre, with India. The retrofitting of a Heritage Building to accommodate the display, storage, and exhibition of various artifacts will be learned from the Grand Louvre and applied to the National Museum of India Project.

In May earlier this year, the PM launched a virtual walkthrough of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum.

IIt will be divided into eight thematic segments, each highlighting a different aspect of ancient Indian knowledge, from the Mauryan to Gupta empires, the Vijayanagara empire, the Mughal empire, and the rule of several other dynasties.

Additionally, it will cover the medieval and modern periods, including the colonial rule of the Dutch, British, Portuguese, and others, as well as the freedom struggle and the post-independence era. The museum aims to provide a comprehensive view of India's history and its vision for the future.

As part of the project, the ancient artifacts and rich collections of the National Museum will be relocated to the buildings of the North and South Blocks. This move is intended to make the museum more accessible and create a cohesive space for visitors to explore the diverse cultural heritage of India.

By bringing together these collections, the museum hopes to provide a more immersive and educational experience for all who visit.

The museum building we see today was initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru, the prime minister, on May 12, 1955.

The National Museum building was inaugurated in two phases. The first phase was officially opened by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the then Vice President, on December 18, 1960.

The completion of the second phase occurred in 1989.