Chandigarh, November 25, 2019 (Yes Punjab News)
Virasat-e-Khalsa, the state-of-the-art museum built by the Government of Punjab at Sri Anandpur Sahib, has capped an extraordinary year by touching another milestone of getting listed in annual reference book, the ‘World Book of Records’ for the record of maximum footfall of visitors in a museum in a day.
Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab, Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi received the award from the delegates of ‘World Book of Records’ who had specially flown in to present the award at the ceremony organized here today. The museum had witnessed a footfall of 20569 visitors on 20th March 2019.
Proclaiming this here on the twin occasion of the aforesaid record citation and Inaugural Day Celebrations of the museum being organized at Virasat-e-Khalsa, the minister said, “This is the 4th back to back award that has been bestowed on Virasat-e-Khalsa this year for the record visitor footfall; coming close on the heels of its listing in ‘Limca Book of Records’ and ‘India Book of Records’, ‘Asia Book of Records’ and award of ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by Tripadvisor.com, a travel website ranked amongst the world’s largest”.
“The museum celebrated the double delight in collaboration with the schools & colleges in its proximity and the public, by holding the multiple events like 2nd Half-Marathon, Educational Competitions, cultural programs and planting 550 saplings in its backyards and lawns under the tag ‘550 Rukh Guru Nanak de Naam’”, said the minister.
The events, spanning three days from 23rd Nov to 25th November, have been held in dedication to and supreme reverence of the Founder of Sikhism – in his 550th birth anniversary year – who had travelled extensively across all four directions to propagate the ideology of Oneness of God, spread awareness on preservation of environment and educate by reawaking consciousness of the ignorant and credulous masses, he said.
Virasat-e-Khalsa- conceived to commemorate the prideful 550 years of heritage and culture of Punjab and Sikhism that has evolved starting from the time of incarnation of the First Guru- was built by the state Government at Sri Anandpur Sahib and inaugurated in two Phases – in 2011 & then in 2016 – each on 25th November.
Lavishing fulsome praise, the minister continued, “This is a momentous and fortunate occasion for the entire Tourism and Culture Department to closely witness the rise of the museum to the top, and take pride in the gratitude that the museum has played host to 10.7 million people in its short journey of 8 years”. Welcoming visitors and dignitaries in thousands daily, is a humbling yet an awe-inspiring experience that makes Virasat-e-Khalsa deserve its standing in the museum world today, he acceded.
The minister went on to add that the state government has fundamentally recognized the significance of the lead role Virasat-e-Khalsa has come to play in bringing the culture and heritage of Punjab closer to the common masses, and simultaneously disseminating it on global platform, aptly assisted by its succinct yet communicative, expressive and inquisitive concept blend immaculately with technology of the day.
It has become the foremost destination for the global cultural exchange programs such as ‘Know Your Roots’ that are undertaken by the ministry, he said. The minister elaborated how amongst its multifarious roles, the cult museum stands out to present a significant case study for its unique concept, architecture, grandeur, aesthetics, technology and infrastructure for the students and scholars of architecture & design as also for organizations intending to set up such like buildings & museums.
Crediting the dedicated engineering and management team at the museum, he said their wholehearted commitment and sense of belonging for the museum richly deserves a mention for accumulating diverse distinctions in world class standards of maintenance & upkeep, effective control of visitor flow and most of all for the perpetual push to improvise and implement innovative ideas and initiatives for energy conservation; all of which have combined to greatly slice its Operation & Maintenance Costs.
The minister informed the museum was adjudged for the Second Prize by the Punjab Energy Development Agency in the ‘State Level Energy Conservation Award Competition’. The town of Sri Anandpur Sahib too has witnessed a big boost in economy ever since inauguration of Virasat-e-Khalsa, he said.
The successful conduct of different events at Virasat-e-Khalsa in the year has only coaxed them to contemplate holding more of such events at museum consistently. The captivating beautification of its towering facades, water body, pathways and other facets with decorative lights on the eve of Diwali & on Parkash Purb last week pulled local crowds for its magnificent twilight panoramic view and received rave views from the public.
“With its record making spree, the museum is primed for greater glory. We will now vie for the elusive ‘Guinness Book of World Records”, the Minister said.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Ms. Tithi Bhalla and Mr. Randeep Singh Kohli from World Book of Records, Bhupinder Singh Channa Manager Virasat e Khalsa.
