The Gujarat government announced on Tuesday that Kutch’s Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum has been honoured with the esteemed Unesco Prix Versailles 2024 award for its exceptional interior design.
The award was presented at a ceremony held at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, where state minister Jagdish Vishwakarma and GSDMA CEO Anupam Anand accepted the accolade.
The official statement revealed that Smritivan was also named among the seven most beautiful museums worldwide in the Prix Versailles list at the start of 2024. This recognition marks Smritivan as the first museum in India to receive international acclaim for its commitment to preserving local culture and promoting environmental conservation.
The Cause Behind Smritivan
The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial and Museum, situated in Bhuj, Gujarat, serves as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the catastrophic earthquake of January 26, 2001. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and other prominent leaders have expressed their appreciation for the museum’s selection for the award.
The earthquake, which claimed nearly 13,000 lives, affected 1.5 million individuals and caused widespread devastation, left an enduring impact on the people of Gujarat.
Prime Minister Modi envisioned the Smritivan Memorial and Museum not only as a commemoration of those who perished but also as a symbol of the resilience demonstrated by the people of the state. The memorial and museum were inaugurated on August 28, 2022, by PM Modi.
This museum was established with the dual purpose of paying homage to the earthquake victims and educating the public about earthquake preparedness and disaster management.
Sustainable Architectural Tribute to Gujarat’s Earthquake Victims
The earthquake itself, which struck on January 26, 2001, had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre near Bhuj.
Around 890 villages were devastated and essential supplies such as food, water and other necessities were destroyed.
Smritivan is a remarkable example of modern architecture combined with sustainable design. It is the largest memorial and museum ever constructed in modern India, located on the Bhujiyo Dungar, a small hill on the outskirts of Bhuj, covering over 470 acres.
The site also includes the Bhujia Fort, which is over 300 years old. The design integrates contemporary architectural features with the surrounding natural landscape, creating a seamless blend that enhances the visitor experience. The museum is powered by a 1.1 MW solar power plant, contributing to its sustainability and offering the potential for future renewable energy projects in the area.
The museum complex includes 50 check-dam reservoirs that feature nameplates honouring the victims of the earthquake. These reservoirs play a crucial role in replenishing the local water table and nurturing nearby forests.
Every aspect of the museum reflects themes of regeneration, sustainability and hope for the future. It also houses the world’s largest Miyawaki Forest, with over 300,000 plants, which helps improve the environmental health of the region and provides a “green lung” for the city of Bhuj.
The museum is divided into seven thematic blocks: Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew.
The Rebirth section explores the Earth’s evolution and its ability to recover from disasters. Rediscover focuses on Gujarat’s topography and the natural disasters the state faces. Restore takes visitors through the immediate aftermath of the 2001 earthquake, highlighting the relief efforts. Rebuild showcases the state’s recovery and achievements over the past 23 years. Rethink encourages visitors to reflect on disaster preparedness for future events. Relive offers an immersive 5D experience of an earthquake, simulating the ground reality of such a catastrophe. The final section, Renew, serves as a space for remembrance where visitors can pay their respects to those who lost their lives.
The memorial also includes a Sun-Point, offering panoramic views of the city, where visitors can witness stunning sunrises and sunsets from the top of Bhujiyo Dungar.
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