Latest news with #PrimeMinistersMuseumandLibrary
New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Compile all legal battles, docus on Emergency: Modi at PMML meet
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday suggested Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) Society to prepare a compilation of all the legal battles and documents relating to the 'Emergency' and preserved them. He also stressed upon fresh initiatives including creation of a committee consisting of five persons from each state below the age of 35 years to bring out fresh ideas and perspectives on museums in the country. "Prime Minister advised that a compilation of all the legal battles and documents relating to the Emergency period may be prepared and preserved in light of the completion of 50 years after the Emergency," said culture ministry. Modi was chairing an annual general meeting of the PMML Society, which was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other members. Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmendra Pradhan, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were also present. The government re-constituted the PMML Society early this year, with former Union Minister Smriti Irani and noted filmmaker Shekhar Kapur finding a place in PM helms the key decision-making body of the PMML as its president and the defence minister as vice-president. Modi also put forward a visionary concept of a 'Museum Map of India', aimed at providing a unified cultural and informational landscape of museums across the country. Underlining the importance of increased use of technology, he further suggested development of a comprehensive national database of all museums in the country, incorporating key metrics such as footfall and quality standards. He suggested regular workshops for those managing and operating museums, with a focus on capacity building and knowledge sharing. According to the ministry, PM also asked to engage top influencers and invite them to visit the museums including the officials of embassies to Indian museums to increase the awareness about the rich heritage preserved in Indian Museums. "During the meeting, Prime Minister emphasised that museums hold immense significance across the world and have the power to make us experience history. He underlined the need to make continuous efforts to generate public interest in museums and to enhance their prestige in society," said ministry's statement. Later, PM also planted a sapling of Kapur (Cinnamomum camphora) on the campus of Teen Murti House symbolizing growth, heritage, and sustainability. The PM also highlighted the importance of preserving and documenting the present in a systematic manner. He noted that by strengthening our current systems and records, we can ensure that future generations and researchers in particular will be able to study and understand this period without difficulty. Other Members of the PMML Society also shared their suggestions and insights for further enhancement of the Museum and Library. Besides Irani, newly appointed director of Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) Ashwani Lohani and former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra, who got another five-year term as the organisation's chairperson, also attended the meeting. There are many new entrants in the prestigious institution's society, including Irani, Kapur, former NITI Aayog Vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, retired Army officer Syed Ata Hasnain and Sanskar Bharati's Vasudev Kamath. PMML is housed in Teen Murti Bhawan, which also hosts the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya.
Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Seeking return of Nehru papers, Prime Ministers Museum and Library decides on legal pursuit
At the annual general meeting Monday of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) Society, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strong consensus emerged among members that the matter of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi taking away the Jawaharlal Nehru papers should be legally pursued, The Indian Express has learnt. Besides the Prime Minister who is the PMML Society president, the 47th AGM was attended by Union Ministers Rajnath Singh (vice-president), Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmendra Pradhan, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chairman Nripendra Mishra, and members including BJP leader Smriti Irani, adman-lyricist Prasoon Joshi, and PMML's new Director Ashwani Lohani. While the matter of Sonia Gandhi taking away a huge chunk of donated Nehru papers – in 51 cartons in 2008 – was discussed at length at the last AGM held in February 2024, the issue came up for discussion again Monday at the 90-minute meeting at Teen Murti Bhavan in New Delhi. Sources said a broad consensus emerged that the papers pertaining to the first Prime Minister are a 'national treasure and should be handed back to the museum as its rightful place to preserve his legacy'. At the 46th AGM last year, when the matter came up for discussion, it was decided by the members to seek a legal opinion regarding taking back donated papers. Consequently, in view of the legal opinion, for the first time, a letter was sent by the PMML administration to Sonia Gandhi's office earlier this year, seeking return of the papers for scholars and historians. This was the first time that the museum administration put on record, in an official communication to the Gandhi family, about Sonia Gandhi taking away part of the papers from the Nehru collection, which they had donated to the museum decades ago. Sources said no response had been received from Gandhi's office. In this regard, sources said it was discussed that the matter be pursued legally, contending that papers once donated or gifted cannot be taken back, and hence, they remain the organisation's property and should be handed back to its custody. A source said it was also put forth at the AGM that the matter pertained to 2008 (during the UPA rule), and the organisation was now seeking to course correct the administrative lacunae of the pre-2014 era by seeking further legal opinion in the matter and how it can be pursued further. The issue of Sonia Gandhi having reclaimed a part of the private papers donated by the Gandhi family was discussed in detail in the AGM held on February 13, 2024, chaired by Rajnath Singh, which was also attended by Sitharaman and Pradhan, among other members. There was a view among the members that those papers should be recalled, and a consensus was also reached to seek legal opinion on issues such as 'ownership, custodianship, copyright, and the use of these archival collections' since the papers were donated to the organisation by Indira Gandhi in 1971 (as heir of the Nehru papers) and subsequently by Sonia Gandhi, after Indira Gandhi's assassination. The matter came up for discussion at the 47th AGM as a follow-up to the deliberations of the last AGM. According to sources, the initial legal opinion indicates that the ownership of the papers lies with the museum, even as the matter needs to be pursued further on their return. On January 15 this year, the PMML society and executive council were reconstituted with former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Nripendra Mishra, getting another five-year term as the organisation's chairperson. There were several new entrants to the society including former Union Minister Smriti Irani, former NITI Aayog Vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, retired Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Sanskar Bharati's Vasudev Kamath. According to PMML records, the papers reclaimed by Sonia Gandhi in 2008 include letters exchanged between Nehru and Jayaprakash Narayan, Edwina Mountbatten, Albert Einstein, Aruna Asaf Ali, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit and Babu Jagjivan Ram. At the AGM Monday, the Prime Minister also put forward the concept of creating a museum map of India, and suggested the development of a comprehensive national database of all museums in the country, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Culture. A compilation of all legal battles relating to the Emergency period may be prepared and preserved in light of the completion of 50 years after the Emergency, Modi said, as June 25 this year marks 50 years of the Emergency.
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi puts forward visionary concept of
New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired the 47th Annual General Meeting of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) Society at Teen Murti Bhawan in New Delhi and put forward a visionary concept of a 'Museum Map of India', aimed at providing a unified cultural and informational landscape of museums across the country. The PM discussed different aspects of museums in India, including leveraging the power of technology and involving more youngsters in their work. According to an official release, Prime Minister emphasised during the meeting that museums hold immense significance across the world and have the power to make us experience history. He underlined the need to make continuous efforts to generate public interest in museums and to enhance their prestige in society. Underlining the importance of increased use of technology, Prime Minister suggested development of a comprehensive national database of all museums in the country, incorporating key metrics such as footfall and quality standards. He also suggested organising regular workshops for those managing and operating museums, with a focus on capacity building and knowledge sharing. Prime Minister highlighted the need for fresh initiatives, such as the creation of a committee consisting of five persons from each State below the age of 35 years in order to bring out fresh ideas and perspectives on museums in the country. The Prime Minister also highlighted that with the creation of a museum on all Prime Ministers, justice has been done to their legacy, including that of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. This was not the case before 2014. Prime Minister also asked for engaging top influencers to visit the museums and also invite the officials of various embassies to Indian museums to increase the awareness about the rich heritage preserved in Indian Museums. Prime Minister advised that a compilation of all the legal battles and documents relating to the Emergency period may be prepared and preserved in light of the completion of 50 years after the Emergency. Prime Minister highlighted the importance of preserving and documenting the present in a systematic manner. He noted that by strengthening our current systems and records, we can ensure that future generations and researchers in particular will be able to study and understand this period without difficulty. Other Members of the PMML Society also shared their suggestions and insights for further enhancement of the Museum and Library. The Prime Minister also planted a Kapur (Cinnamomum camphora) tree in the lawns of Teen Murti House, symbolising growth, heritage, and sustainability. (ANI)
The Wire
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Wire
Former Air India Chief Ashwani Lohani Appointed as Director of Prime Ministers Museum and Library
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Government Former Air India Chief Ashwani Lohani Appointed as Director of Prime Ministers Museum and Library The Wire Staff 43 minutes ago Lohani is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME) officer of the 1980 batch. Prime Ministers Museum and Library. Photo: public domain. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: The Prime Ministers Museum and Library, previously known as the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, has got a new director – former Air India chief Ashwani Lohani – months after the post was vacated earlier this year. Lohani is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME) officer of the 1980 batch. Before his appointment, Lily Pandeya, joint secretary in the Union culture ministry, had taken over as interim director after the tenure of former power secretary Sanjiv Nandan Sahai ended in March 2025. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Lohani's appointment on June 4 for a three-year tenure, the Indian Express reported. Lohani has served as the chairman and managing director of Air India in the past. He was also the chairman of the Railway Board of Indian Railways in 2017 and joined the GMR group as chief executive officer after retiring from government service. The Union government has also expanded the executive council of PMML from 29 members to 34. The new members include former Union minister Smriti Irani, NITI Aayog former vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, retired Army General Syed Ata Hasnain, renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, and Vasudev Kamath from Sanskar Bharati, according to a notification issued by the culture ministry. Former principal secretary to the prime minister Nripendra Mishra has been reappointed as the chairperson of the organisation. Other new members include Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, archaeologist K.K. Mohammad, who was part of the Babri Masjid excavation team in 1976, and former head of the National Museum, B.R. Mani, the paper reported. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News From Colonial Loot to Cultural Genocide at the British Museum Choksi Abduction Complaint Shines Light on Modi Government's Attitude to Global Passport Business An Exhibition in London's Imperial War Museum Breaks the Silence on Sexual Violence in Conflict An Open Letter: 'I Have Small Eyes, Mr Prime Minister' The Grand Tamasha of Jammu and Kashmir Politics Profit and Sales Growth Slow Down as Compared to Last Year Amid Rising Cost and Trade Uncertainties 'It's a Huge Tragedy': In Visit to Poonch, Rahul Gandhi Meets Families Bereaved in Pak Artillery Shelling Trump's Drive for Ocean Bed Mining Threatens Law of the Sea 'In Public Interest': MMRDA Tells SC as it Scraps Tender for Mumbai Elevated Road, Tunnel Projects View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Former Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani named new director of PMML
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pay of Secretary to the government of India on contract basis' is for three years from the date of assumption of charge, or until further orders whichever is earlier. As Chairman & Managing Director of Air India from August 2015 to August 2017, he helped pilot the organisation to a position of stability and earned operating profits. In between his two stints in Air India, he also worked as Railway Board chairman. During his tenure, the country's transport monolith went through a major reform. It resulted in impetus to the Vande Bharat train, dedicated freight corridors, high speed railway between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, doubling of tracks, electrification and above all a vastly improved safety record. He also holds a Limca Record for having four engineering degrees in mechanical, electrical, metallurgical and electronics and telecom engineering.
