Pune: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar Inaugurates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Exhibition At Aga Khan Palace

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Pune, March 13, 2021: The historic Aga Khan Palace in Pune, where Mahatma Gandhi was detained following the launch of the Quit India Movement, summons everyone to an inspiring commemoration of our glorious freedom struggle and the remarkable journey of our nation since the attainment of independence. A beautiful exhibition has been organized at the palace, to pay homage to our freedom fighters and showcase their contributions to the freedom struggle, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the celebration of 75 years of India’s independence.

The exhibition, organized by Bureau of Outreach Communication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, will go on till 15th March, 2021. It has panels showing glimpses of contribution of stalwarts of freedom struggle including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lokmanya Tilak, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and many other prominent personalities.

Inaugurating the exhibition virtually, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said: “Our freedom has been earned with a lot of sacrifice. Hence, it is essential that everyone understands the journey of the freedom struggle. Exhibitions are being organized across the country, in order to inform our people of our glorious freedom struggle and sacrifices made by our freedom fighters.

The Minister further said: “the goal of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is also to showcase the various achievements of Independent India. We also want to visualize the progress the nation will make in 25 years, in all spheres of life as a leading world power, as per our vision of Surajya.”

Javadekar joined the programme online after inaugurating the exhibition at National Media Centre, Delhi. Exhibitions at five other locations, viz Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Samba (J&K) and Moirang (Manipur) were also inaugurated virtually on the occasion.

The Minister has exhorted everyone to visit the exhibitions and leave with a piece of precious history: “The exhibitions organized by Bureau of Outreach Communication will educate the populace on the ethos of freedom struggle and help us envision our path for the next 25 years. I invite people to visit these venues and leave with a piece of history with them” he said.

These exhibitions aim to pay homage to freedom fighters and remember their contributions in the freedom struggle. The exhibitions also seek to bring forth the contributions of unsung heroes from various parts of the country, in our road to independence, said Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Briefing the media about the exhibition, Prakash Magdum, Director, Regional Outreach Bureau, Maharashtra and Goa welcomed all Punekars and all citizens who can make it, especially the youth, to come and visit the exhibition and get inspired to contribute to nation building.

Aga Khan Palace in Pune occupies a special place in our freedom movement. It is here that Mahatma Gandhi was detained for 21 months by the British Government in 1942, on launch of the Quit India Movement. The place became the centre point of the ‘Quit India Movement. Now, it is a museum that narrates the story of the entire 21 months of Gandhiji’s detention in the palace.

Similar exhibitions will be held in Sevagram, Wardha and Mumbai, from where the Quit India Movement was launched.

Government of India in collaboration with State Governments and other institutions will hold a number of programmes over the next 75 weeks to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Indian Independence.