By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Just a week before the nation will celebrate the 61st Independence Day, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) will take first step to establish Museum of Independence, first of its kind in the country, at the estimated cost of Rs 60 crore.
The museum to be set up at JMI campus will present saga of independence, particularly the contributions of those unsung heroes and communities that proved crucial in making India free.
“Little has been told about the contribution of Dalits, tribals and minorities in the freedom movement of India; this museum will highlight the contribution of these communities,” said JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Mushirul Hasan in a press conference at JMI’s Arafat Hall on 4th August.
The Project is being backed by Zee TV and the Maison des Science de l’Homme in Paris. The Union Human Resource Development Ministry has already recommended a grant of Rs 60 crore, to be released through the University Grants Commission. The proposed museum shall be built over a five acre plot of land on the JMI campus.
Why Jamia for this museum? “Jamia was born during freedom movement, precisely in 1920 during the Non-Cooperation Movement. Besides, Jamia has produced a number of great freedom fighters including Mohammad Ali, Shaukat Ali and Dr. Abdul Qayyum Ansari who contributed both to the Indian National Congress and Independence movement,” said Prof. Mushirul Hasan.
The museum will cover about 200 years of modern Indian history: from Battle of Plassey in 1757 to the drafting of Constitution in 1950.
The museum will showcase the freedom movement through audio-visual means in a way that will interest to all particularly new generation that is fast forgetting the past of the nation.
The foundation stone of the museum will be laid by Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh on 9th December.
The museum is likely to be completed in 3-4 years.