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PM Shri Narendra Modi’s virtual inspection of the National Maritime Heritage Complex project

To revive India’s rich maritime heritage of India’s ancient port-Lothal, National Maritime Heritage Complex to be constructed in Lothal at a cost of Rs. 3,500 crores

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s virtual inspection of the National Maritime Heritage Complex project

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi:

• The ancient civilization and culture of Lothal will be revived again
• Slave mentality and apathy made us forget our glorious heritage
• Like the Statue of Unity, Lothal will also be a unique and prominent center for tourists

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel:

• India’s glorious heritage is being revived under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister
• Four-lane roads, 66 KV sub-stations and water facilities will be constructed rapidly to develop Lothal

Virtual presence of Union Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal

Motivational presence of Union Ministers Shri Shripad Naik, Shri Devusinh Chauhan

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Gandhinagar, Tuesday: In the presence of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reviewed the National Maritime Heritage Complex project at Lothal virtually through drone inspection. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said in his virtual address that to revive India’s rich maritime heritage at Lothal, an ancient port of India, the task of revitalizing India’s ancient maritime culture by building the National Maritime Heritage Complex at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore is being done by the Central and State Governments.

Union Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal were virtually present in this program while Union Minister of State for Shipping Shri Shripad Naik, Shri Devusinh Chauhan were present in this program.

In his virtual address, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that the ancient splendor of Lothal, which is a historical and global heritage, will be revived through this project. The Prime Minister reviewed the project from a drone and expressed satisfaction over the rapid progress of the project. India has a historical and great heritage of maritime heritage. Mentioning that Lothal and Dholavira in Gujarat and Chola, Cher and Pandya dynasties in the south had expanded sea power to new heights, he said, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had also formed a powerful navy at that time. Thus the history of Indian culture has been overlooked. But we are determined to restore this magnificent marine heritage. Referring to the thousands of years old tradition, he said, we have Sikotar Mata being worshiped as a sea goddess and traces of it have been found as far as Aden, indicating that there was Indian trade from Khambhat to Aden.

Jhinjuwada village of Surendranagar has also found evidence of a lighthouse. The industry of making large ships also flourished in Kutch. It shows that the maritime trade was prosperous and prosperous in the whole of Gujarat. But the mentality of slavery and indifference has done a lot of damage to it. If any legacy is time and place based, it inspires the next generation as well as alerts them to the future, added the Prime Minister. The construction of this grand museum is to restore India’s pride. In the last eight years, many heritage sites have been developed in the country. A museum of states and princely states will also be built at the Statue of Unity in the coming days. By which the sentiments associated with our heritage can also be secured and the austerity and penance of our forefathers can also be restored, he further added.

He said that there is much to be learned from the remains found during the excavations at Lothal, a symbol of Indian maritime power and strength, which reveal urban planning and spectacular architectural styles. He said that this area was blessed by Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati, he said that the flags of 84 countries were flying in Lothal and Chinese philosophers have noted that 6,000 students from 80 countries were studying in the nearby Vallabhi Vidyalaya. Stating that it will be revived with the integration of technology so that the ordinary citizen of India can know this maritime heritage of India, he expressed the hope that one day Lothal will also create the same way as the Statue of Unity creates new records of tourists every day. Construction of this complex in Lothal will develop employment-self-employment opportunities and also boost local tourism, he added. This area has seen many severe days. There was no cultivation in this area. We have brought this area out of it. Various industries are being established in this area. The semi-conductor plant is also going to be shaped in the near future.

Stating that we are determined to recreate this area as much as it was developed earlier, he delivered Diwali and New Year wishes to the people present at the event with the conviction of bringing back the legacy of ancient splendor of Lothal. Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel said that India has entered the golden age of independence after completing 75 years of independence. One of the resolutions is to nurture the ancient heritage. Which is going to be realized today with the construction of the National Maritime Heritage Complex. He further said that the center of Harappa culture was the center of trade relations with foreign countries through Lothal. The roots of thousands of years old Indian culture are connected with this center.

The project to be implemented in Lothal has been reviewed by the Prime Minister today to realize it in reality and will be implemented at a cost of Rs.774 crore in the first phase. He expressed happiness that projects including theme park, research center are going to be realized in the second phase. The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to speedy realization of this heritage complex, a four-lane road will be built connecting this center, besides this, a substation of 66 KV will also be built and by all this, the ancient heritage will be re-established. Notably, the archaeological remains of Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, located in Lothal is the pride of Indian culture.

On this occasion, Union Health Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya said that the Prime Minister’s imagination is very big. The idea they see is the duty to take India forward by taking steps to come out of the mindset of slavery and restore India’s self-respect. He further said that Gujarat Harappan heritage is the pride of Gujarat. This is an opportunity to reveal it, to revive it. What a civilized nation India was five thousand years ago. A live demonstration of how global trade used to be done will be done in this heritage complex. He further added that this complex will be built in such a way that the arrangements and exchanges that were there at that time can be visualized.

On this occasion, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonwal said that today Gujarat has become the growth engine of the country’s development. Gujarat is a proud developed state. The world is watching the development taking place across the state.

Union Minister of State for Shipping Shri Shripad Naik said on the occasion that India’s magnificent and rich maritime heritage will be revived at the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, which will not only become an international level tourist destination. The world’s largest maritime museum is to be built in Lothal under the guidance of the Prime Minister. The museum will showcase India’s rich maritime heritage, he added.

The Union Minister of State for Shipping further said that this complex will create an auspicious combination of history, education, research and entertainment. Five thousand years ago, Lothal was not only a port, but also a vivid history of shipbuilding, he added. He further said that the construction of this complex will be completed in two phases at the earliest. Here you will be able to experience the magnificent maritime ancient heritage through modern technology. Re-creation of ancient heritage in the golden age of independence is a matter of pride.

Union Minister Shri Devusinh Chauhan said that due to the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the redevelopment of this ancient place has become possible. Due to the efforts of the Prime Minister, there has been an opportunity to revive this civilization which is about five thousand years old.

He further said that not only a maritime heritage complex but also an institute for studies, a hostel and also a heritage park displaying various systems of ancient times will be constructed here. Due to which various infrastructure facilities will be created in this area. A 66 KV sub station will also be established in this area. Apart from this, water management will be done through the canal, so that irrigation and drinking water will also be available to the local farmers.

Former Minister Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said that 4,600 years ago there was a rich port Lothal where there was sea and there was import-export by sea. Further, the former minister said that highlighting the maritime heritage, the museum is to be built at a cost of Rs. 3,500 crores.

Lothal’s hegemony in the east is about to materialize again. Dholera is going to develop in next 10 years but this heritage complex is going to take shape in next three to four years only. Apart from this, the formation of this complex here will also provide new employment opportunities to the local people here. The state government is working fast to complete this project within the stipulated time limit, the museum building complex will be constructed in the first phase.

A large number of local leaders and citizens were present.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat