NEW DELHI(Agency): India’s economic growth translates into growth opportunities for the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while inaugurating the central government’s maiden India Art,Architecture and DesignBiennale (IAADB) 2023 at Red Fort on Friday.
Underscoring the significance of cultural programmes like the biennale, the museum expo and the Festival of Libraries organised by the culture ministry, Modi said such initiatives must be institutionalised so that they gained global recognition, and emphasised that efforts should be made to expand the programme and have more countries participate in the coming years.
Highlighting the historical significance of hosting the biennale at Red Fort, Modi said the fort’s courtyards had stood witness to the rich architectural heritage of India, and which were among the many symbols that narrated the story of India’s art, culture, past and its values to the rest of the world.
The PM underscored the government’s efforts to set up cultural spaces in Kashi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata, and said IAADB was a step in this direction. “Art and culture are essential to connect the human mind with the inner self and recognise its potential.”
On Friday, the PM also inaugurated the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design, which, he said, will provide a platform to promote unique and rare crafts of India and train artisans and designers in design development as well as innovative, tech-savvy marketing. “Whatever may be the form of art, it is born close to nature. Therefore, art is pro-nature, pro-environment andpro-climate.”
He also highlighted India’s rich tradition of art and design, reflected in the design of stepwells, forts and temples, and cited the example of Patwa ki Haveli in Jaisalmer, a group of five mansions built in a way to work like natural airconditioning. “All this architecture was not only long-lasting but also environmentally sustainable.”
While inviting people to visit the week-long biennale and the three-month-long exhibition until March 31, Modi said, “Art, architecture and culture flourish when there is freedom of thought and freedom to work in one’s own way. With this tradition of debate and dialogue, diversity automatically flourishes. We welcome and support every kind of diversity.”
The PM also underlined India putting global good before self-interest, adding that with India emerging as the biggest economy in the world, everyone sees a better future. “Its vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat brings new opportunities. Similarly, India’s revival in the field of art and architecture will also contribute to humanity.”
(courtesy: TOI)
