NEW DELHI, June 15 (Xinhua) -- A museum located in India's western state of Gujarat, which was built in memory of the people who had died in the 2001 devastating earthquake, has been included in the "World Selection for the Prix Versailles Museums" this year.
Built in an area of around 470 acres of land, the Smritivan Museum is located in Bhuj area of Gujarat's Kutch district. The area was devastated during the 2001 earthquake.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday on X that Smritivan is a reminder of human resilience and courage, saying he is "glad that this museum has found a place on the World Selection for the Prix Versailles Museums 2024."
The museum has a 1.1-megawatt solar power plant that powers the museum and the memorial to achieve self-sustainable, renewable green energy. The memorial also has 50 check-dam reservoirs that house the nameplates of almost 13,000 victims of the 2001 earthquake.
Prix Versailles gives awards each year for structures that are examples presented to the world as signs of exceptional architecture and design. ■