India, France ink pact to develop ‘Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum’

• India’s National Museum and France Museums Développement (FMD) signed an agreement under which the French agency will share modalities and best practices to transform the British-era landmarks into a global cultural landmark, dubbed the ‘Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum’. 

• This ambitious project is an integral part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project and is set to span approximately 1,55,000 square meters across the iconic North and South Blocks in New Delhi.

• Its development will breathe new life into the two historic blocks, preserving their unique architectural features while reimagining their purpose.

• Currently, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Defence Ministry are housed in the South Block while the Finance Ministry and the Home Ministry are located in the North Block.

• The two identical blocks on the Raisina Hill along with the Rashtrapati Bhavan (earlier Viceroy House), symbols of architectural grandeur and administrative power, were built as part of the ‘New Delhi’ imperial capital that was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker between 1911-1931.

• This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in realisation of the iconic Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum, a vision that not only celebrates India’s unparalleled cultural heritage but also embodies the power of international cooperation.

• Mapping work has been almost done in the North Block and it is underway in South Block.

• France’s renowned expertise in museum development, exemplified by the Grand Louvre, will play a pivotal role in shaping this project. 

• The adaptive reuse of the historic North and South Blocks will ensure the preservation of their architectural heritage while creating a vibrant and efficient cultural space.

• The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum will be developed through Adaptive Reuse, in collaboration with France, renowned for its expertise in such projects, exemplified by the Louvre, Grand Palais, and Hotel de la Marine. 

• This approach mirrors France’s ‘Grands Projets’ initiative, which saw the transformation of government buildings into iconic cultural spaces, most notably the Louvre. 

• This historical precedent, where a government ministry vacated a landmark building to create a world-class museum, provides a valuable framework for the development of the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum.

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