New Delhi: In a moment of global recognition, UNESCO has shortlisted seven of the most stunning museums for the prestigious Prix Versailles Award, and among them stands the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum of Bhuj. “A moment of pride for Gujarat and India! The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum in Bhuj has been listed among the seven most beautiful museums in the world under the prestigious Prix Versailles Award, announced annually at UNESCO for architecture and design,” Patel said on X (formerly Twitter). For the first time, an Indian museum has received such global acclaim, a testament to its expression of local culture and nature conservation that resonates with people worldwide.
Smritivan in Kutch is a tribute to those we lost in the tragic Earthquake of 2001. It is a reminder of human resilience and courage as well. Glad that this Museum has found a place on the World Selection for the Prix Versailles Museums 2024. https://t.co/yVLLaiMaJx
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 15, 2024
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Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum: Where is it located?
Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum is India’s largest memorial and museum, located in Bhuj, Gujarat, in the Kutch region.
Smritivan, which translates to Forest of Memories, is modern India’s largest memorial and museum. It covers over 470 acres and is situated on the Bhujiyo Dungar, a small hill on the outskirts of Bhuj. The museum also shares the area with one of the oldest forts, Bhujia Fort, which is believed to be more than 300 years old.
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Why was the museum created?
Bhuj was struck by an earthquake in 2001, and in the face of this tragedy, the museum was created as a testament to the resilience and strength of the people of Kutch. It stands as a place of pilgrimage, a tribute to the people’s resilience and reverence, and a sanctuary for those who find solace in nature.
Features of the memorial-museum
The memorial has a sun point that overlooks the city. This unique feature, strategically positioned to offer a panoramic view of the city, symbolises the hope and resilience of the people of Kutch. The sun rises and sets from atop the Bhujiyo Dungar, casting a warm glow over the memorial and creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere for visitors.
It has the world’s largest Miyawaki Forest, with over 3 lakh plants. The forest, a unique feature of the museum, is not just a green space but a living, breathing monument that also serves as the lungs of Bhuj.
A locally installed 1.1 Megawatt solar power plant also powers the museum and memorial. The solar power plant is believed to have a self-sustainable, renewable green energy that leads the way for all future establishments.
The memorial also has 50 check-dam reservoirs that house the names of almost 13,000 victims of the 2001 earthquake. These reservoirs, a unique feature of the museum’s design, are memorials and serve a practical purpose. They are carefully planned to recharge the surrounding water levels, contributing to the conservation of the surrounding forests and serving as a reminder of the importance of water management in disaster-prone areas. The rocks in these reservoirs serve as foundations for new life to grow from within their cracks, symbolising resilience and hope for renewal.
Every museum element focuses on regeneration, sustainability and hope for a better future.
How big is the Smritivan Earthquake Museum?
The Smritivan Earthquake Museum is 11,500 sq m and has seven blocks further divided into sub-galleries. They constitute the monument. Each is unique in its own way, educational, interactive, and straight out of science fiction.
Galleries of Smritivan Earthquake Museum
There are seven galleries based on seven ‘R’s, and these include:
Rebirth: Here, one can witness the history of Earth’s evolution, the emergence of landforms over millions of years, and the genesis of the very land we inhabit. Also, one gets a glimpse of prosperous ancient human civilisations in the Kutch and the ancient trade routes of Gujarat, as well as the tale of their advancement and resilience.
Rediscover: This gallery shows the resilient nature of Kutch and the innovative spirit of Gujarat’s people. The gallery’s exhibits, which include interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and a rich collection of artefacts, provide a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the region’s history and culture. It also explains the reasons for the multiple natural occurrences in the western state, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the region’s unique geographical and climatic conditions.
Restore: This gallery recounts the tragic events of the 2001 earthquake in Bhuj. The gallery’s exhibits, which include personal testimonies, photographs, and artefacts, provide a comprehensive and emotional account of the earthquake and its aftermath. Visitors can touch, listen to, and immerse themselves in the diverse testimonies and recollections of earthquake survivors and the memories of the loved ones of victims from across the nation, gaining a deeper understanding of the human impact of natural disasters.
Rebuild: This block gives us a comprehensive understanding of how the collective process of rebuilding, reconstructing, and reviving Gujarat for long-term disaster mitigation happened. The aftermath of the 2001 earthquake can also be witnessed through this gallery.
Rethink: In this block, one can learn about global disaster response and preparedness measures through various games and interactive activities. These activities, designed to be informative and engaging, allow visitors to experience the challenges and decision-making processes involved in disaster response. They also provide insights into India’s vulnerability to natural phenomena and the importance of preparedness.
Relive: What Gujarat people felt in 2001, how buildings collapsed, and how lives turned to fatalities can be experienced in state-of-the-art 360-degree surround simulations. It can make you feel like the Earth slips beneath your feet.
Renew: The seventh and last gallery is designed to let the visitors pay their respects to the people who died in this tragedy. Also, this reminds the loved ones they might have lost and keeps them in their memories with a light spirit. In this block, to commemorate them, visitors light up a digital flame through touch panels, which will travel through digital LED walls up to the ceiling and form one united light. This unique lighting feature, the highest number of optical fibre sensor-based lighting that has ever been placed in a single location in India, symbolises the unity and resilience of the people of Kutch in the face of adversity.
The earthquake significantly impacted Gujarat as a whole, but over time, it has emerged as one of the best states in the country. The museum was the dream project of the then-Chief Minister and now-Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. PM Modi inaugurated the project on August 28, 2022.
UNESCO has shortlisted the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum as one of the seven most beautiful museums for the prestigious Prix Versailles Award. UNESCO, since 2015, has announced the Prix Versailles Award every year. It is a series of architectural competitions that showcase the finest contemporary projects worldwide. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
