Jabalpur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone of ‘Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan’ here and unveiled projects of over Rs 12,000 crore in sectors such as road, rail, energy, housing and drinking water.

He greeted people gathered at the event and also took a tour of the exhibition. The 500th birth centenary of Rani Durgavati is being celebrated with great fervour by the Centre. The announcement regarding the celebration was made by the Prime Minister, during his visit to Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh in July this year.

To be built at a cost of about Rs 100 crore in Jabalpur, the ‘Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan’ will be spread over an area of about 21 acres. It will showcase an impressive 52-foot-high bronze statue of Rani Durgavati. It will have a magnificent museum highlighting the history of the Gondwana region including the valour and courage of queen.

It will also highlight the cuisine, art, culture, way of living of Gond people and other tribal communities. The premises of ‘Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan’ will also have multiple parks and gardens including a garden for medicinal plants, a cactus garden and a rock garden.

Rani Durgavati was the ruling queen of Gondwana in the mid-16th century. She is remembered as a brave, fearless and courageous warrior who fought for freedom against the Mughals.

The Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the Light House Project at Indore in Madhya Pradesh.