CM Mohan Yadav has said that understanding and drawing inspiration from India’s glorious past is essential for the present. The state government is developing the ‘Veer Bharat Museum’ in Ujjain. He stated that India is a land enriched with centuries of culture and supreme knowledge. Despite numerous invasions on the country and its culture, brave sons of the soil preserved Indian values through their courage and sacrifices.
The Veer Bharat Museum will highlight illustrious personalities and significant events from all periods of Indian history. It will also showcase the contributions of ancient Indian warriors, thinkers, philosophers, sages, authors, artists, and scientists. The research, study, fellowships, and academic pursuits focused on India’s civilizational excellence will be conducted under the Veer Bharat Trust.
The Veer Bharat Museum will be established at Kothi Mahal, Ujjain, in the first phase. Dr. Yadav reviewed the activities of the Veer Bharat Trust, Veer Bharat Museum, and Mahadev Sculpture Art Workshop at the Mantralaya and issued necessary directives. The meeting also included discussions about the upcoming Tercentenary Celebrations of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai. Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain and Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Rajesh Rajora were present at the meeting.
CM Mohan Yadav said that Ujjain has held great importance since the beginning of creation. A gallery in the Veer Bharat Museum should be developed to reflect Ujjain’s significance through different historical eras. Similar galleries should also be developed in other regions of Madhya Pradesh. Experts in culture, art, and architecture, as well as support from the Union Ministry of Culture, should be involved in the development of this national heritage museum. Ujjain will be developed as a centre for the preservation and development of sculptural art traditions, and sculptures will be provided across the state as needed.
For large sculptures that are difficult to create from stone, metal casting techniques should be employed. The Chief Minister also directed that the museum be connected to universities, academic institutions, and institutions involved in science education, training, and research. He further instructed that cultural performances be arranged at the Rangmandap located within Mahakal Mahalok to encourage regional artists and engage devotees.
CM Mohan Yadav suggested that major temples in the state initiate social service activities. He also emphasised the need to promote religious tourism opportunities in Madhya Pradesh across other states.
The Chief Minister announced that the Tercentenary Celebrations of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai will be held from May 20 to 31. A Cabinet meeting will be held at Rajwada in Indore on May 20 to mark the occasion. Other events will also be held in Maheshwar, Indore, Bhopal, and Ujjain. He described Devi Ahilyabai as a symbol of women empowerment, self-reliance, and good governance, and proposed a massive convention of women’s self-help groups from the Malwa-Nimar region as part of the celebrations.
It was informed in the meeting that the event will include exhibitions on her life and personality, lecture series, displays of Maheshwari sarees and other regional crafts, as well as programs focused on traditional folk arts, theatre, music, and dance. Food stalls featuring the regional cuisines of Malwa and Nimar will also be set up.
The meeting also included discussions on the ongoing development works at Kothi Mahal and its premises, activities under the Veer Bharat Trust, and presentation of themes for galleries to be developed under the Veer Bharat Museum. The progress of the Mahadev Sculpture Art Workshop, set up to promote stone, marble, granite, and metal sculpture in Ujjain, was also reviewed. Present at the meeting were Principal Secretary of Culture Shri Shivshekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of Urban Development Shri Sanjay Shukla, Chief Minister’s Cultural Advisor Shri Shriram Tiwari, Ujjain’s Commissioner and Collector, and other subject experts.