Where history comes alive

Syed Nooruzzaman visits Parliament Museum in New Delhi that tells the story of
the birth of an independent India

THERE is no dearth of books on how India won its freedom with sacrifices by people belonging to different sections of society. But no book can tell us this interesting and awe-inspiring story in the shortest time possible and yet in a powerful manner as one can learn by visiting Parliament Museum, New Delhi. Conceptualised and designed by well-known museum expert Saroj Ghose and inaugurated on August 14, 2006, by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, it has a high-tech story-telling arrangement with multi-screen panoramic projections using animatronics.

The feeling most of the exhibits evoke is not so easy to describe. These must be seen to be believed. If you want to see and hear Nehru deliver his famous 'Tryst with destiny' speech delivered at the stroke of midnight on August 14-15, 1947, then the recreated central hall of Parliament House in the museum is the place to visit. You can get seated next to any of the top national leaders of that time, as we did recently and observed Pandit Nehru speak those memorable words. It is an excellent presentation.

Before you experience the first Prime Minister of India heralding the birth of an independent and sovereign nation, you also have an opportunity to participate in the Dandi March with Mahatma Gandhi chanting, "Raghupati Raghav Rajaram, Patitpavan Sitaram `85 Eshwar, Allah Tero Naam, Sabko Sanmati De Bhagwan`85"

With the help of sound-light-video synchronisation, the visitor is taken back to the early 20th century when the demand for self-governance became a powerful movement, leading to the declaration of independence on August 15, 1947. It is a soul-stirring experience to come across an animated statue of Gandhi delivering a speech in his own voice.

There is a section telling the story how did India get its Constitution. There is an animated figure of Dr B. R. Ambedkar chairing a meeting of the Constitution drafting committee. The museum also has a section where a calligraphic copy of the Constitution has been preserved in a glass case.

As you enter the museum you find recreated chambers of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha where the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament can be observed through computer interactive modules.

There are animated exhibits that take you back to the days of Ashoka and Akbar, highlighting the fact that India has a rich democratic heritage. Ashoka's sons have been shown carrying leaves from the Bodhi tree. One gets the idea how the great ruler tried to spread the message of peaceful co-existence. One also comes across an exhibit showing Emperor Akbar's efforts to promote secularism in India.

Despite the usefulness of the museum in informing the public about India's rich democratic heritage and various significant events that preceded the freedom of the country, a visit to this building is rarely a priority for tourists, particularly those from within the country. Perhaps the reason is that the museum is not getting the kind of publicity it deserves.

The museum has been enriched considerably because of the special involvement of Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee in its improvement and upkeep. But the government, too, should make concerted efforts to promote it as a preferred destination for tourists, both from India and abroad.

The museum is open for five days except Sundays, Mondays and government holidays. The visitors can visit from 11 am to 5 pm. No special permission is required. One has to just reach the reception of Parliament Library building from the Pandit Pant Marg side. There are security checks, of course

A register kept for the visitors to record their impressions has interesting details. For former President Kalam it is a "beautiful creation. Past and present meet to bring the future. Excellent contribution to the country."

A sensitive and thinking bureaucrat Amitabha Bhattacharya describes his visit as "a truly moving experience. Cutting out the essence and spirit of the evolution of democracy in India, amidst the wide diversity that our country has always espoused, and showing them in a modern way, using the latest sophisticated technology, has been a tremendous feat."

A sensitive project like Parliament Museum requires a lot of "devotion and dedication" and careful study of India's democratic heritage, writes Dr Karan Singh. He wants the museum to be "widely visited, especially by younger people, who generally are under-informed regarding our freedom movement and the great figures involved in it".

The museum serves as a window on India's marvellous march to freedom, won by using the weapon of non-violence. It can help in strengthening the nationalistic feeling among the people of all age groups, regions and religious persuasions.

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