Massive Scale: The Abhay Prabhavana museum, inaugurated on November 5th, 2024, is being hailed as India’s largest museum dedicated to Jain philosophy and culture. It sprawls across 3.5 lakh square feet within a 50-acre campus along the Indrayani River.
Immersive Experience: The museum features 30 galleries showcasing Jain values and teachings through cutting-edge technology, including audio-visual displays, animations, virtual reality, and interactive systems. It also houses numerous artworks, sculptures, and replicas.
Five Journeys: Visitors can embark on five distinct journeys within the museum, exploring Jain philosophy, history, the path to happiness, and Indic values. An outdoor nature trail complements the indoor exhibits.
Accessibility and Future Plans: The museum aims to attract over 2,000 visitors daily and is wheelchair accessible. Plans are in place to create a dedicated children’s museum within the campus to cater to younger audiences.
Notable Inauguration: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, along with other dignitaries and spiritual leaders, inaugurated the museum, emphasizing its role in inspiring future generations and promoting societal development.
Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) is constructing four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for the Indian Navy, touted as the most advanced in their class. These vessels are larger and more capable than previous patrol vessels.
Enhanced Capabilities: The NGOPVs boast greater endurance and firepower compared to their predecessors. They are equipped for diverse roles, including out-of-area contingency operations, anti-piracy missions, counter-infiltration, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
Keel Laying Ceremony: A ceremony marking the keel laying of two NGOPVs was held on November 5, 2024, attended by West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and senior officials from various branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
Production Underway: GRSE has initiated production on all four NGOPVs, with the two whose keels were laid already at an advanced stage. These vessels measure 113 meters in length, 14.6 meters in width, and displace 3,000 tons.
Boosting Indigenous Shipbuilding: The Governor highlighted the significance of these warships in strengthening India’s position as a major military power and emphasized the country’s growing capabilities in the shipbuilding sector.