The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum in Bhuj has been listed among the 7 most beautiful museums in the world under the prestigious Prix Versailles Award.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the inclusion of Gujarat’s Smritivan memorial in the World Selection for the Prix Versailles Museums 2024.

“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,” Modi posted on X.

Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum has been shortlisted by Unesco as one of the seven most beautiful museums for the prestigious Prix Versailles Award. Announced each year at Unesco since 2015, the Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide.

Unesco’s Prix Versailles said the seven newly opened or reopened museums simultaneously serve creativity, are the reflection of local heritage and ecological efficiency, and leave extraordinary imprints on their environments. The shortlisted museums will all be competing for three 2024 World Titles – Prix Versailles, Interior and Exterior – whose laureates will be announced at Unesco headquarters by late November, the release added.

It is a matter of pride for Gujarat that an Indian museum has received global recognition for the first time in this manner for its expression of local culture and nature conservation, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel said in the post.

Here’s all you need to know about Smritivan:

1. Covering approximately 470 acres, Smriti Van celebrates the resilience of the people who endured the 2001 earthquake, which had its epicenter in Bhuj and claimed around 13,000 lives.
2. The Memorial, includes the names of those who perished in the disaster, was inaugrated by PM Modi in August 2022.
3. The state-of-the-art Smritivan Earthquake Museum is organised into seven thematic blocks: Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew.
4. Rebirth: This block illustrates Earth’s evolution and its capacity to overcome challenges.
5. Rediscover: Showcases Gujarat’s topography and the various natural disasters the state is prone to.
6. Restore: Takes visitors back to the immediate aftermath of the 2001 earthquake, highlighting the extensive relief efforts by individuals and organisations.
7. Rebuild: Highlights Gujarat’s rebuilding initiatives and success stories following the earthquake.
8. Rethink: Encourages visitors to understand different types of disasters and emphasises the importance of future preparedness.
9. Relive: Offers an earthquake simulation experience in a 5D simulator, giving visitors a realistic sense of such an event.
10. Renew: Provides a space for remembrance, allowing visitors to pay homage to the lost souls.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)