Gujarat’s Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum Nominated for UNESCO’s 2024 Prix Versailles Award
In a recent announcement, Gujarat’s Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum has been shortlisted for UNESCO’s prestigious Prix Versailles Award 2024. This museum, dedicated to the memory of the tragic 2001 earthquake in Bhuj, serves as a poignant symbol of human resilience and hope.
The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum stands among seven remarkable museums nominated for the esteemed Prix Versailles Award. Since its inception in 2015, this annual UNESCO competition has highlighted outstanding modern architectural projects from around the world.
Smritivan – A Tribute to Resilience
Spanning 470 acres, Smritivan pays tribute to those affected by the devastating 2001 earthquake, which claimed approximately 13,000 lives. The museum’s seven thematic blocks—Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew—illustrate the journey from tragedy to recovery, each symbolizing a step in the process of healing and rebuilding.
Smritivan – Architectural Brilliance and Cultural Significance
The nomination of Smritivan highlights its architectural excellence and cultural importance, positioning it as a global model for disaster memorials. Its innovative design seamlessly integrates with the natural surroundings, promotes sustainable practices, and celebrates cultural heritage. These elements align perfectly with the award’s criteria, which emphasize the economic, cultural, and ecological dimensions of architecture.
The Prix Versailles Award
The Prix Versailles Awards, established to honor exceptional architecture in terms of interiors, exteriors, and overall design, will announce the winners at UNESCO headquarters in late November 2024. The awards celebrate architectural projects that enhance societal well-being and environmental stewardship, recognizing structures that contribute positively to their communities and the environment.
Remembering the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake
On January 26, 2001, a catastrophic earthquake struck Gujarat, with its epicenter near Bhuj. The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.7, resulted in approximately 13,000 deaths and left over 167,000 injured. It caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods across the region. The aftermath saw a massive humanitarian response, with national and international aid supporting rescue and relief efforts. This disaster prompted significant reconstruction initiatives and led to improved disaster preparedness and recovery strategies in the affected areas.
Dubai Launches Air Taxis: Citywide Travel in 10 Minutes!
Dubai has unveiled an innovative air taxi service, marking a groundbreaking advancement in urban transportation. Spearheaded by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), this pioneering initiative is poised to redefine travel within the city. Travelers can avail themselves of this aerial mode of transportation for a minimum fare of 350 dirhams per person.
Set to commence operations by the year’s end, the air taxi service promises swift and secure mobility, linking various destinations across the Emirate in just 10 minutes.
Operated by a leading US-based aviation company, these air taxis have been meticulously crafted to provide passengers with an exhilarating aerial journey while prioritizing safety and comfort. Offering panoramic vistas of Dubai’s iconic skyline, passengers can embark on a seamless voyage devoid of the constraints posed by heavy city traffic.
In contrast to traditional modes of transportation, which often entail lengthy commutes, the introduction of air taxis is poised to reshape this landscape. Authorities anticipate that these futuristic aerial vehicles will slash travel times between key locations by an impressive 70%. For instance, a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, typically taking 45 minutes to an hour by road, can now be completed in just 10 to 12 minutes aboard an air taxi.
Each air taxi accommodates up to four passengers alongside a skilled pilot, ensuring both convenience and efficiency. Moreover, the inclusion of baggage compartments further enhances the passenger experience, catering to diverse travel needs.
Safety remains paramount in the design and operation of these air taxis, which operate at altitudes ranging from 500 to 1000 meters, varying based on the journey’s distance. Pilots undergo rigorous training spanning 6 to 8 weeks to adeptly navigate the air taxis, ensuring a smooth and secure journey for passengers. Booking a ride is streamlined through a dedicated mobile application developed by Joby Aviation, seamlessly integrated with popular ride-sharing platforms like Uber.
Innovative charging infrastructure enables swift turnaround times for air taxis, capable of recharging from zero to 100% in under ten minutes. Upon landing at designated vertiports, ground staff promptly connect the air taxi to charging points, ensuring minimal downtime before the next departure.
Notably, these air taxis amalgamate helicopter and airplane technology, blending the vertical take-off capabilities of helicopters with the comfortable flying experience of airplanes. This innovative approach underscores Dubai’s commitment to pioneering sustainable and futuristic transportation solutions, setting a new benchmark for urban mobility on a global scale.
गुजरात के इस गांव को UN से मिला ‘सर्वश्रेष्ठ पर्यटन गांव’ का सम्मान, जानें क्या है इसकी खासियत?
भारत सरकार के पर्यटन मंत्रालय द्वारा गुजरात के धोर्डो को संयुक्त राष्ट्र के विश्व पर्यटन संगठन द्वारा ‘सर्वश्रेष्ठ पर्यटन गांव’ के रूप में सम्मानित किया गया है। प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने कुछ साल पहले ही इस अज्ञात दूरस्थ स्थान को एक नए पर्यटन स्थल के रूप में विकसित करने का निर्णय लिया।
उन्होंने पर्यटन आकर्षण के रूप में कच्छ के सफेद रण की क्षमता की पहचान की और सर्दियों में एक ‘तंबू शहर’ की स्थापना कर इस गांव में रण उत्सव की शुरुआत की।
प्रारंभिक वर्षों में रण उत्सव को बढ़ावा देने के लिए मोदी व्यक्तिगत रूप से यहां का दौरा करते थे और उसमें रहते थे।
करीब 100 दिन चलता है गुजरात का रण उत्सव
पहले रण उत्सव महज 3 दिन के लिए होता था, लेकिन धोर्डो में यह लगभग 100 दिवसीय उत्सव में बदल गया। इस उत्सव के लिए एक नया तंबू शहर बनाया गया है। रण उत्सव भारत के सबसे बेहतरीन पर्यटन कार्यक्रमों में से एक है, जो सफेद रेगिस्तान में प्रकृति की सुंदरता और कच्छ की समृद्ध सांस्कृतिक कला को और भी आकर्षक बना देता है।
इस बार कब है रण उत्सव?
लगभग 4 महीने तक चलने वाला रण उत्सव एक सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम है, जो धोर्डो में 7,000 वर्ग मील के विशाल क्षेत्र में आयोजित किया जाता है। इस उत्सव में सफेद रेत के विशाल मैदान में 400 शानदार तंबू लगते हैं। यहां लाइव सांस्कृतिक प्रदर्शन और कच्छ के व्यंजनों का आनंद लिया जा सकता है। इस वर्ष यह उत्सव 10 नवंबर, 2023 से शुरू होकर 25 फरवरी, 2024 तक चलने वाला है।
धोर्डो कैसे पहुंचे?
हवाई मार्ग: धोर्डो के सबसे नजदीक हवाई अड्डा लगभग 80 किलोमीटर दूर भुज में है, जबकि निकटतम अंतरराष्ट्रीय हवाई अड्डा अहमदाबाद में 384 किलोमीटर की दूरी पर है।
रेल मार्ग: इसका निकटतम रेलवे स्टेशन भुज रेलवे स्टेशन है, जो इस पर्यटन स्थल से 80 किलोमीटर की दूरी पर स्थित है।
सड़क मार्ग: कच्छ के रण के किनारे पर स्थित धोर्डो शहरों से बहुत दूर है, लेकिन भुज, अहमदाबाद और गुजरात के अन्य शहरों से आसानी से पहुंचा जा सकता है।