Gandhinagar: On 28th August 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Smriti Van at Bhuj, built in memory of people who died in the killer 26 January 2001, earthquake as a tribute to the remarkable resilience of the people of Kutch. Till January 20, 2023, i.e., in the span of just 4 months, 2 lakh 80 thousand people have visited the memorial while more than 1 lakh 10 thousand people have visited the museum.

Programs for Fitness, Yoga, Open Mic, and Music

Several programs have been organized here with the aim of bringing together the people of Bhuj and the state. These include Yoga classes and workshops, an Open Mic, a Skating program, Zumba get-togethers, awareness programs for voting, musical shows, and the lighting of more than 21,000 lamps to pray for the departed souls. These activities brought Smriti Van into the limelight as a cultural centre, which draws visitors from Bhuj and the regions surrounding Bhuj.

Well-known celebrities were overwhelmed upon visiting the museum

Several celebrities have heaped praises on this museum developed at the Bhujia Dungar. The guests included well-known politicians, officers of the Armed forces, top CEOs, cricketers, actors, former chief Ministers, and RBI Governor among other dignitaries.

 

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Feedback from the Visitors

“I humbly want to say to my countrymen that our Smriti van is at par with the best monuments and museums in the world. I would like to request the people of Kutch that when a guest comes to your house, please do not let them go without visiting Smriti van. I would also like to request the education department of Kutch to bring school children here whenever educational tours are organized.”- Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

“The nature of the 2001 earthquake has been summarised here very well and it’s a humbling experience. It teaches us to respect nature and at the same time makes us aware of the significant role of nature in our lives. It was very unfortunate to lose so many lives to this disaster. I congratulate the people who have tirelessly worked to rehabilitate the people who were affected due the earthquake. I also want to commend the team involved in building the memorial, and applaud the museum’s efforts to preserve the memory of those affected and educate future generations about the importance of disaster preparedness.” – Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India

“Every little corner of the museum has a story that everyone should experience at least once. A must visit.”- Shubham, a visitor from Chennai

“It was a beautiful experience. Such a beautiful building, and what’s inside is even more beautiful. The poverty of the people of Kutch is beautifully depicted and is very respectable. You will surely like it.” – Rachel, a visitor from Spain

Smriti Van developed in an area of 470 acres

This memorial has been constructed in an area of 470 acres on the Bhujio Dungar at Bhuj. This place has the world’s largest Miyawaki Jungle comprising of 3 lakh trees and 50 check dams.

As a tribute to the people affected by the earthquake, the walls of check dams have plaques with the names of 12,932 affected people. Besides this, the place includes a Sun Point, an 8 km long overall pathway, a 1.2 km long internal road, a Solar plant with a capacity of 1megawatt, parking for 3 thousand visitors, renovation of a fort older than 300years, plantation of 2 lakh trees, electric lighting in the entire area, and a museum on earthquake in an area of 11500 sq. mtrs.

A special theatre that allows visitors to experience an earthquake in real time

A special theatre has been constructed to simulate the 2001 earthquake. Here the combination of vibration and sound and light creates a unique experience and the 2001 earthquake can be felt with the help of 360-degree projection. The museum has a total of eight blocks named Reconstruction, Reintroduction, Reintroduction, Reconstruction, Rethinking, Revision, and Recollection.

Here historical Harappan settlements, scientific information related to earthquakes, the art and culture of Gujarat, the science of cyclones, an explanation of real-time emergency situations by the control room, and stories of post-earthquake recovery of Bhuj and the development of the state are shown through different workshops and presentations. DeshGujarat