Sabarmati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a short visit to his home state of Gujarat today. During the visit, the Prime Minister is inaugurating the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram, the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in 1915. It is still preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat Vidyapeeth. The Prime Minister is also launching the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial.

Speaking at the event the PM said, “This ashram of Bapu was spread across 120 acre and over the time it continued to squiz and eventually it just remained in 5 acres. There was a time, when there were 63 constructions here, out of which only 36 are left now. And visitors are able to visit only 3 among them. It’s our responsibility to keep the ashram intact, the ashram that created history, the ashram that played such a big role in freedom struggle,the ashram that is visited by people from across the world to know about it, to experience it. The families that lived here have major role in making this expansion possible. Due to their cooperation, 55 acre land of Ashram has been regained. Those who played positive role in it deserve admirations. Our attempt is to protect all houses in their original condition. Conventional building style has to be conserved. In coming time, this punah nirmal will be a new attraction for those from the country and abroad. Thousands of visitors would come here.”

The Prime Minister urged Gujarat government to launch a school competition to prepare guides for Gandhi Ashram. He urged that such competition shold reach every shool, so that each child would know about Sabarmati Ashram and its activities, its history. He said daily at least 1,000 children should spend one hour at Sabarmati Ashram.

PM pointed out that previous government had no idea or political will to do this due to appeasement. The heritage was destroyed with enchrochment, missmanagement and littering.

PM said the countrymen know what was the situation in Kashi 10 years ago. When the current government showed will power, the people also started cooperating and 12 acre land could be regained. Today many facilities are developed on the same land. In just two years, over 12 crore devotees came for darshan of Vishwanathji. In the case of Ayodhya, the government freed 200 acre land for Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. Very dense construction was there. But then Ram Path, Bhakti Path, Janmabhoomi path were developed. In fifty days over 1 crore devotees have done darshan of Bhagwan Shri Ram.

Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial

It has been the constant endeavour of the Prime Minister to uphold and cherish the ideals which Mahatma Gandhi stood for and also develop avenues which showcase his ideals and bring him closer to the people. In yet another effort in this endeavour, the Gandhi Ashram Memorial Project will help revitalise Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings and philosophy for present and future generations. Under this Masterplan, the existing five-acre area of the Ashram will be expanded to 55 acres. 36 existing buildings shall undergo restoration, out of which, 20 buildings including ‘Hriday Kunj’, which served as Gandhi ‘s residence, will be conserved, 13 will undergo restoration, and 3 will be reproduced.

The masterplan includes new buildings to house administration facilities, visitor facilities like orientation centre, interactive workshops on charkha spinning, handmade paper, cotton weaving and leatherwork and public utilities. The buildings will house interactive exhibits and activities to showcase aspects of Gandhiji’s life as well as the legacy of the Ashram.

The Masterplan also envisages the creation of a library and archives building to preserve, protect and disseminate Gandhiji’s ideas. It will also create facilities for visiting scholars to use the Ashram’s library and archives. The project will also enable the creation of an interpretation centre that can guide visitors with different expectations and in multiple languages, making their experience culturally and intellectually more stimulating and enriching.

The Memorial will serve as an inspiration for future generations, fostering Gandhian thoughts and will enliven the essence of Gandhian values, through a process informed by principles of Trusteeship.

Earlier today, at the DFC’s Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for Rs. 1,06,000 crore projects in Gujarat. He also flagged off 10 new Vande Bharat Express trains and launched the extension of 4 other Vande Bharat Trains. DeshGujarat