A WONDERFUL new structure has been added to the map of Nagpur district in the form of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Ramayan Sanskritik Kendra, with President of India Droupadi Murmu dedicating it to the nation on Wednesday in a glittering ceremony at Koradi. After walking through the ornate alleys of the Sanskritik Kendra built against the backdrop of Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Temple in Koradi, the President expressed happiness over the depiction of ‘Ramayana’ as well as Indian freedom fighters and ‘Param Vir Chakra’ awardees there. “The Sanskritik Kendra will become an important cultural monument of India. It will make the young generation aware of Indian culture and its values and also inspire them,” she said. Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh; Ramesh Bais, Governor of Maharashtra; Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport; Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashra; Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MLC and State President of Bharatiya Janata Party; Jagdish Lakhani, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Joint Executive Secretary and Registrar of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai; Rajendra Purohit, Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Nagpur Kendra; and Annapurni Shastri, Director, were seated on the dais on this occasion.

 

 

The President congratulated Banwarilal Purohit and the entire team of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan for coming up with the grand project of the Sanskritik Kendra. She praised Purohit for his love for Nagpur and his contribution in its development. Murmu was all praise for the ‘Ramayan Darshan’ Hall as well as the statue of Bharat Mata. “The statue moved me. Whether we stay in our country or abroad, our motherland is the closest to our heart. I recall the story of Lord Rama’s victory in Sri Lanka that was made of gold. Lord Rama’s connect to his motherland was so deep that he preferred to stay in his own country than in Sri Lanka even though it was full of riches,” she observed. “Ramayana is not just the life journey of Lord Rama.

 

The way He stood firm on His principles and fought for righteousness should be emulated by all,” Murmu said. Talking about India’s freedom struggle, the President said, “It is important that we connect our young generation to values of Indian freedom struggle. We should tell them about the valour of freedom fighters and sacrifices made by our soldiers.” Underlining the importance of Nagpur, Banwarilal Purohit briefed the audience about city’s history. He said, “Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is preserving, conserving and popularising Indian culture. Bhavan’s Sanskritik Kendra is one such project depicting Ramayana as well as Indian revolutionaries and Param Vir Chakra winners. It will inspire people, especially the youth. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is committed to preserving the Indian culture and values so that they are passed on to coming generations.” Purohit said that Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and all its branches would continue to instill the Indian values in young minds. Governor Ramesh Bais, Nitin Gadkari, and Devendra Fadnavis were all praise for the project and complimented Purohit for conceptualising it. Bais said, “I am happy to witness the inauguration of this grand Sanskritik Kendra.

 

This Kendra will enrich our culture and values.” He also appreciated the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and shed light on the contribution of late K M Munshi. Expressing gratitude towards the President of India for visiting Vidarbha first after assuming the highest Constitutional office in the country, Fadnavis said, “The Sanskritik Kendra takes us to our history which is very important. Those who don’t know their history don’t have any future.” Gadkari said that the Sanskritik Kendra would show a new direction to youngsters. Bhavan’s Sanskritik Kendra and the new-look Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Mandir and will take Nagpur on global map, he said, while thanking Purohit and Bawankule for the projects. Earlier, President Murmu visited Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Mandir at Koradi and offered prayers to the deity. She dedicated the Sankritik Kendra to nation by unveiling the plaque. She also took a round of the cultural centre. Purohit felicitated her with a memento and shawl. The President felicitated Dr T Bhaskaradoss from Chennai who executed the vibrant interior paintings masterfully and Dr K Dakshinamoorty (Sthapati), Chennai for crafting exterior sculptures skillfully. Govind Trivedi and Mohana Godbole compered the programme. Prominent among those who graced the function included Justice Vikas Sirpurkar, retired Supreme Court Judge; Justice (retired) Ravi Deshpande, legal luminary Adv Shrihari Aney; Vijayalakshmi Bidari, Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur; Dr Vipin Itankar, District Collector; Amitesh Kumar, Commissioner of Police, and others.

Bhavan’s Sanskritik Kendra is a unique exhibition complex aimed at promoting love for Indian culture and evoking spiritual and patriotic sentiments in younger generation

 

The Sanskritik Kendra is a visionary project conceived by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Nagpur Kendra, under the leadership of Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, who is also a Trustee and Vice-President of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai

 

The majestic structure of the Sanskritik Kendra has two floors, each spanning 14,760 square feet. The first floor, known as the ‘Ramayana Darshanam Hall’, has 120 beautiful paintings depicting significant episodes from the ‘Tulsi Ramayana’ and ‘Valmiki Ramayana’. The panels showcase the life of Lord Rama from his birth to his coronation and also highlight the influence of ‘Ramayana’ in India and abroad

 

The entire structure of the Sanskritik Kendra is designed in line with temple architecture n The second floor is named ‘Bharat Mata Sadanam’. It features a finely made bronze statue of Bharat Mata, accompanied by 115 paintings showcasing Indian freedom fighters from 1857 to 1947, along with 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees. Fourteen additional paintings depict key events from India’s freedom struggle, with detailed descriptions provided in English, Hindi, and Marathi languages, complemented by mesmerising light effects

 

The vibrant interior paintings are masterfully executed by T Bhaskaradoss from Chennai, while the exterior sculptures are skillfully crafted by Dr K Dakshinamoorthy (Sthapati) from Chennai