On September 8, 2022, the Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Kartavya Path’, a redeveloped two kilometre stretch from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan through Vijay Chowk in New Delhi (Delhi). It was earlier known as Rajpath (Kingsway), which was a ‘symbol of slavery’. Now, the name Kartavya Path symbolizes ‘public ownership and empowerment’.
- Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited executed the redevelopment of the entire stretch from Vijay Chowk to India Gate with an outlay of Rs 477 crore.
It should be noted that Kartavya Path is the first of the Rs 13,450-crore Central Vista Projects to be completed. Under Central Vista Projects, there will be a new Parliament building, new office and residences for the Prime Minister and Vice-President and new ministry buildings. The North and South Blocks, the secretariat buildings flanking Rashtrapati Bhavan, will be converted into museums.
Unveiling of statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
PM also unveiled the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose under the canopy at India Gate that during British rule had a statue of King George V. The statue is also a part of the Central Government’s Central Vista project.
Features:
i.It is a jet-black granite statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, measuring a total of 28 ft and weighing 65 MT.
- It has been carved from a monolithic block of granite weighing 280 MT.
ii.It was completed in 26,000 man hours. It is completely hand sculpted using traditional techniques and modern tools.
- The team of sculptors for executing the statue was led by Arun Yogiraj.
iii.It has been installed in the same place where a hologram statue of Netaji was unveiled earlier this year on Parakram Diwas (January 23) by PM to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji.
iv.It is one of the tallest, realistic, monolithic, handmade sculptures in India.
v.A 100 feet long truck with 140 wheels was specially designed for this monolithic granite stone to travel the 1665 kms from Khammam in Telangana to New Delhi.
Key Points:
i.A cultural festival by 500 dancers held during the ceremonial inauguration of Kartavya Path, which demonstrated the spirit of Ek Bharat – Shrestra Bharat & Unity in Diversity.
ii.Around 30 artists performed tribal folk-art forms such as Sambalpuri, Panthi, Kalbelia, Kargam and Drums.
iii.Mangalgaan penned by Padma Bhushan Pt. Shrikrishna Ratanjankarji during 1st Independence Day of India in 1947 was presented by Pt. SuhasVashi along with a team of singers and musicians.
iv.The unveiling of the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was accompanied to the tune of Kadam Kadam Badhaye jaa, the traditional INA (Indian National Army) song.
PM addresses inauguration ceremony of ‘Kalam no Carnival’ Book Fair
The PM Narendra Modi also addressed the inauguration ceremony of ‘Kalam no Carnival’ Book Fair organised by Navbharat Sahitya Mandir in Ahmedabad, Gujarat via video message.
- ‘Kalam no Carnival’ is a huge convention of books in Hindi, English and Gujarati languages.
Other Participants:
Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Tourism, Gangapuram Kishan Reddy, among others.
About Delhi:
Chief Minister– Arvind Kejriwal
Heritage & Monuments– Agrasen ki Baoli, Humayan Tomb, Jantar Mantar
Recent Related News:
i.PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various projects of
the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, Dharampur, in Valsad district, Gujarat, through video conferencing.
ii.PM Narendra Modi dedicated the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre to the
nation at Mohali, Punjab, with the goal of offering top-notch cancer care to inhabitants of Punjab and neighbouring States/Union Territories (UTs).
