In a remarkable achievement, the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum in Bhuj, Kutch district, has been awarded the third spot in UNESCO's prestigious , recognizing it as one of the world's seven most beautiful museums. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel celebrated this significant accomplishment, calling it a "proud moment" for both Gujarat and India.
Taking to his official X handle, Bhupendra Patel wrote, "A proud moment for Gujarat and India! Bhuj's Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum has been placed on the list of the seven most beautiful museums in the world under the prestigious Prix Versailles Award in the field of architecture and design announced annually at UNESCO."
He further expressed his pride, stating, "It is a matter of pride for Gujarat that for the first time, a museum in India has received global recognition for its expression of local culture and nature conservation."
Praising the museum's design and significance, Patel added, "The design of this museum is amazing, as it is built on the Bhujia hill amidst the greenery of thousands of trees. This museum is a story of bravely facing challenges and reinventing them. This museum is an ethereal realisation of divinity. Heartiest congratulations to the entire team involved in the construction and management of Smritivan."
The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum secured the third spot on the prestigious list, following the A4 Art Museum in Chengdu, China, and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt. Other museums on the list include the Simose Art Museum in Hiroshima, Japan, Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, Oman Across Ages Museum in Manah, Oman, and the Polish History Museum in Warsaw, Poland.
Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 28, 2022, the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum commemorates the lives lost during the devastating earthquake in 2001. According to the museum's official website, the facility spans 11,500 square meters and is divided into seven thematic blocks: Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew, each representing a different aspect of the museum's mission.
(With ANI Inputs)
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