India, France sign pact for grand museum in North, South blocks

Context: India and France on Tuesday signed an agreement towards the ‘adaptive
reuse’ of the north and south blocks for the ambitious new national museum
project, to be the largest museum in the world. It is a part of the central
vista redevelopment project and is set to span approximately 1.55 lakh square
meter, overtaking “The Louvre” in Paris, presently the world's biggest. It will
be implemented in two phases, with an estimated deadline of June 2026. As a
part of the agreement, India and France are collaborating on a comprehensive
feasibility study, encompassing museum case studies, interpretive planning and
building programming.

Key points

·       Overview: The Indian
Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with France Museums Développement, is set
to establish the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum as part of the Central
Vista Redevelopment Project.

·       Origin: Announced by
the Prime Minister at the International Museum Expo in May 2023.

·       About: It is a national
museum to celebrate India’s unbroken civilizational history, emphasizing
inclusivity and community narratives.

·       Aim: To serve as a
global cultural landmark combining India’s heritage with contemporary
narratives, bridging past, present, and future.

·       Features: Largest museum
in the world, spanning across the North and South Blocks in New Delhi. Collaboration
with France for expertise in museum design and management, inspired by projects
like the Louvre. Focus on inclusivity and community-centric narratives.

Themes - Adaptive reuse
of heritage buildings, celebrating India’s democracy, diversity, and cultural
heritage.