30-Jan-2019: National Salt Satyagraha Memorial
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi in Navsari district, Gujarat to the nation on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary.
At the memorial site, he also unveiled statues of Mahatma Gandhi and 80 Satyagrahis who had marched with him during the historic Dandi Salt March in 1930 to make salt from sea water against the British law. The memorial also has 24-narrative murals depicting various events and stories from the historic 1930 Salt March. Solar trees are installed to meet the energy requirements of the memorial complex.
PM said “this memorial reminds us of the great sacrifices of the people of our country for the cause of freedom”. The Dandi memorial encapsulates the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi- Agrah for Swadeshi, Swatchagrah and Satyagraha and it will be a major attraction for the tourists in the coming days.
The PM said, “ In an effort to carry forward the legacy of Gandhiji, our government has modernised around 2000 institutions related to khadi. It has benefitted lakhs of craftsmen and workers. Khadi is now not only a fashion statement but a symbol of women empowerment as well”. Swadeshi played an immensely important role in freedom struggle, likewise, handlooms will be instrumental in overcoming poverty. The government has declared 7th of August to be celebrated as Handlooms Day, every year to promote handlooms.
Underlining the importance laid by Gandhiji for Swachhata, PM said we have imbibed those values for a clean India. The impact of Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan is that the cleanliness in rural area has increased from just 38 per cent in 2014 to 98 per cent now with the NDA Government in power.
Reiterating his endeavour to bring basic amenities to the villages from clean cooking fuel to electricity and healthcare to financial services, PM said it is in line with our mission and the idea of ‘Gramuday to Bharatuday’.
18-Jan-2019: Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) named as World Capital of Architecture for 2020
UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone R, Thomas Vonier, President of the International Union of Architects (UIA), and Verena Vicentini Andreatta, Municipal Secretary of the City of Rio for Urbanism, announced that the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) will be the World Capital of Architecture for 2020.
The World Capital of Architecture initiative underscores the common commitment of UNESCO and the UIA to preserve architectural heritage in the urban context. Through the range and quality of its activities, the World Capital of Architecture in Rio de Janeiro will demonstrate the crucial role of architecture and culture in sustainable urban development.
In keeping with UNESCO’s recent partnership agreement with the UIA, UNESCO, designates the World Capital of Architecture, which also hosts the UIA’s World Congress, an event that takes place every three years. The World Capital of Architecture is intended to become an international forum for debates about pressing global challenges from the perspectives of culture, cultural heritage, urban planning and architecture.
As the first World Capital of Architecture, Rio de Janeiro will hold a series of events under the theme “All the worlds. Just one world,” and promote the internationally agreed 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s 11th Goal: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”
UNESCO, the UIA and local institutions will organize activities to promote projects involving architects and urban planners as well as policy makers, social institutions and professionals from other sectors including artists and writers in an open and creative space of dialogue and innovation.
23-Nov-2018: Government of India to observe the remembrance of100 years of the historical Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Government of India has decided to mark the remembrance of 100 years of the historical Jallianwala Bagh Massacre next year. The Minister of State for Culture(I/c), Dr Mahesh Sharma visited the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab today along with Minister of State (IC) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri and officials from ASI and NBCC to review the preparations for remembrance of 100 years of ‘Jallianwala Bagh Massacre’ , in 2019.
In a statement, Dr Mahesh Sharma said, “ As we prepare for remembrance of the “100 years of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre” in 2019, Jallianwala Bagh shall undergo necessary redevelopment and upgradation. Jallianwala Bagh shall continue to remind the young generation about the sacrifices made in freedom struggle.” The Government is planning to renovate the historical site by creating suitable infrastructure for providing basic amenities for the tourists, the Culture Minister said.
A number of commemorative as well as constructive activities will be taken up during the remembrance period.
The commemorative coin and postage stamps will be released on 13th April, 2019 (the day the incident took place 100 years ago). Ministry of Culture will organise cultural activities such as kavi Sammelan, plays, exhibition, seminars, etc. across the country.
A Committee has been constituted to ensure the timely implementation of the following:
- provide basic amenities for visitors
- renovate, upgrade and beautify the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial, and
- develop Virtual Reality Theme Based show at the Memorial.
The Ministry of Tourism has already earmarked an amount of Rs. 8 crore under Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of Virtual Reality Theme Based show at the Memorial which will be spent under supervision of the Committee and Ministry of Culture will provide additional funds, if required.