Photo : Messenger
India's rich tapestry of history, spanning ancient dynasties and democratic practices, is a source of pride for generations. Beyond the ever-evolving political landscape, the legacy of India's Prime Ministers post-independence holds a special place in the hearts of its citizens.
During my recent tour of India, I had the privilege of delving into this heritage during a captivating visit to Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, a museum that pays tribute to every Prime Minister who has led the nation since Independence.
This renovated institution presents a compelling narrative of how these leaders have contributed to the nation's growth over the past 75 years, transcending political identities. From Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao to Atal Behari Vajpayee, and Dr. Manmohan Singh, the museum showcases photos, videos, and important letters from all Prime Ministers representing various national parties in India.
Prativa Raut Roy, an exhibitor supervisor at Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, shared that the Nehru Memorial Museum has officially been renamed Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya. "The specialized museum holds records of the lives and political journeys of all previous Prime Ministers since India's independence," Roy told The Daily Messenger during the museum visit.
Moving on to another captivating place in Delhi, we explored the National Museum, which houses approximately 200,000 objects of diverse ethnicity, both Indian and foreign, spanning over five thousand years of Indian cultural heritage.
Originally under the Director General of Archaeology, the Ministry of Education, Government of India declared it a separate institution in 1957, placing it under its direct control.
Our journey then led us to Hyderabad, renowned as a hub of technology and medical services. The city also boasts historical sites like Golconda, one of the five Muslim sultanates of the Deccan.
The territory of Golconda stretched between the lower reaches of the Godavari and Krishna Rivers and extended to the Bay of Bengal coast. Our guide informed us that Golconda was celebrated for its diamond production, including the world-famous Kohinoor and Great Mogul diamonds.
One of the heartwarming experiences in Hyderabad was our visit to Shilparamam craft village. As part of the Bangladesh media delegation, we had the opportunity to spend a delightful evening at this cultural haven.
Here, visitors can enjoy clothing and crafts from all over India while local artists perform historical dramas on stage. Some families were even seen dancing on the open field to the rhythm of music.
Anjah, the general manager of Shilparamam, explained that the village aims to connect craftsmen from across India. "Visitors, along with their families, come here to enjoy the cultural shows and shop from traditional craftsmen.
“Shilparamam features 350 permanent stalls and 90 temporary shops," Anjah told The Daily Messenger.
The official also informed us that, on average, 5,000 people visit Shilparamam every day, and this number increases on festive occasions. Our final stop in Hyderabad was Ramoji Film City (RFC), located approximately 30 kilometers from the capital.
Established in 1996 by eminent Telugu film producer Ramoji Rao, this facility was envisioned as a Hollywood-style studio and was developed with the assistance of Bengali art director Nitish Roy.
Somdatta Maity, a guest relations assistant at RFC, informed us that half of the buildings in the film city are replicas, allowing directors to create diverse shots from the same infrastructure.
Popular movies like "Badsha," "Krish-3," "Dilwale," "RaOne," and "Chandramukhi" were filmed here, along with a specialized set for the Telugu movie "Baahubali." RFC offers visitors the opportunity to experience the magic of filmmaking.
One of the most thrilling aspects of our visit to Ramoji Film City was Space Yatra, a virtual reality experience that transports you through cosmic bodies such as planets, stars, and galaxies.
Additionally, a Bangladeshi delegate participated in the creation of a movie through chroma effects and sound engineering with the support of Shuvondhu, a Bengali speaker at Ramoji Film City.
After an exhilarating journey through two major cities in India, the Bangladesh media delegation departed from Hyderabad for Dhaka, carrying with them cherished memories of this remarkable trip.
Messenger/Disha
