New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) The new hi-tech Garages Museum in the Rashrapati Bhavan here provides visitors with some great experiences, allowing them to "feel" the presence of Mahatma Gandhi and as if he is "walking" with them by using virtual reality (VR) technology.
The New Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex, which now includes the Garages Museum and Clock Tower in addition to the Stables Museum will be open for the public from October 2.
A 3-D theatre showcases a short film on Mahatma Gandhi while a dedicated VR area allows visitors to "walk" with Mahatma Gandhi.
Using some really interesting ideas and impressive digital systems, it also brings across the lives and works of the 13 Indian Presidents since 1950, the beauty and environment of the campus and important visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
It is exciting to observe a major part of the modern Indian history through paintings, sculptures, videos, audios and visual representations and plenty of unique artefacts gifted by foreign delegates and personal belongings of the presidents have very artistically been put for visitors to observe.
"Major events in the history of the country have been given prominence as President Pranab Mukherjee takes a lot of interest in knowing developments in history," The President's Press Secretary, Venu Rajamony told IANS.
"When he became President, he was extremely curious to know about it. He had numerous questions and I feel that it's from there that the making of the museum began. We wish to change the image of Rashtrapati Bhavan as a monument of the British to a functioning building that has been the premises of the republic of India.
"We saw the parliament museum and made a comprehensive conservation master plan as we decided to have a world class museum," Rajmony said.
The museum very elegantly depicts the story of the planning and construction of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the British Viceroys who occupied it till 1947, their reaction to the freedom movement, transfer of power and the formation of the republic.
The making of Rashtrapati Bhavan has been very interestingly displayed through the original designs by Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens.
It is very children-friendly as it allows you to get stamps and souvenirs with your pictures. Touch screen systems are almost everywhere to help people find information about the pictures on display. There are holographic projections and three dimensional busts of Presidents speaking to the visitors.
Children can find great joy in taking its tour as it offers multiple interactive media for engaging them.
The museum also has an art gallery that artists can use for holding temporary exhibitions. Also, various paintings and sculptures that were earlier displayed in the Marble Hall and other locations of Rasthrapati Bhavan are on display.
The overall experience of looking around the Garages Museum provides you interesting information.
"There will be nominal registration charges of Rs 50 per head. Children below the age of 8 years will be exempt from charges," said Rajmony, adding: "The Museum Complex will be open all days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except Mondays. Entry and exit for visitors will be through gate number 30 on Mother Teresa Crescent."
Around 700 people have so far booked tickets to visit the museum.
(Mudita Girotra can be contacted at mudita.g@ians.in)
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