PU gets $1.3 lakh for Gandhi Bhavan's restoration

The Getty Foundation, USA, has awarded a grant of $1.3 lakh (around Rs 80 lakh) to Panjab University for the conservation of Gandhi Bhavan.
The grant has been provided under the philanthropic initiative 'Keeping It Modern', which is focused on conserving the twentieth century architecture. Welcoming the grant awarded through a juried competition, PU vice-chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover said it was a matter of pride for the varsity to become the first institute in India to receive it.
Gandhi Bhavan was designed by Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret, cousin of Le Corbusier, who is also credited with developing a modern architectural vocabulary in Chandigarh and India.
The three-winged structure that was built in 1962 is considered an iconic example of modern architecture. Its abstracted lotus form represents Gandhian ideals, standing in a pool of water amid landscaped gardens. The building houses a library containing several volumes on Gandhi's life and teachings besides an auditorium with a seating capacity for 250 persons and a committee room.
The grant comes at a crucial time, when the city is vying for the world heritage status for the Capitol Complex, and thus conservation of modern heritage buildings has to be carried out.
A dedicated website showcasing the conservation and planning of Gandhi Bhavan will soon be launched to disseminate project information alongside details of activities carried out for utilisation of the grant.
The varsity will get technical support from the Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage, Gurgaon, and the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT, besides other specialised national experts.
-
Ladies, it’s party time again!
Put on your dancing shoes, it's girls night out! One such step is the revival of popular ladies night with free cocktails and shots to engaging entertainment on an otherwise dull weekday. Many newly opened eateries are also adopting the concept. Going beyond the traditional idea of ladies night, 1 Oak, has introduced offers every day of the week for female patrons.
-
Petrol expensive in Bengaluru, diesel cheaper; Check prices here
Oil marketing companies in Bengaluru maintained the city's petrol prices at Rs. 111.09 per litre on Thursday for the seventh consecutive week. Petrol price in Delhi was at ₹105.41, while Chennai was at ₹110.85 per litre, while Mumbai and Kolkata had petrol prices of ₹120.51 and ₹115.12. Agra's petrol price stood at ₹105.03 per litre, and Ahmedabad's was at ₹105.08.
-
Gyanvapi masjid case: Survey report to Varanasi court has 1,500 photos, videos
Vishal Singh, who was appointed special court commissioner by a Varanasi judge, on Thursday submitted his survey report of the Gyanvapi complex, people familiar with the development said. Advocate commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra, who was removed from the position by the judge, submitted his two-page report on Wednesday. It was a huge effort, Madan Mohan Yadav, who is appearing for the Hindu side said. Vishal Singh's report covers the the proceedings of the remaining three days, May 14, 15 and 16.
-
ASI shuts Aurangzeb's tomb in Maha for 5 days amid row over AIMIM leader's visit
Amid massive controversy in Maharashtra over AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi's recent visit to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in the state's Aurangabad, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which protects the monument, announced on Thursday the monument was being closed for five days.
-
3 labourers killed, 11 injured as truck runs over them on KMP e-way
Three labourers were killed and 11 injured when a truck ran over them on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway near Asoda toll plaza in Jhajjar's Bahadurgarh area early on Thursday, police said. Eleven of them were rushed to the civil hospital in Bahadurgarh from where 10 workers were referred to Rohtak's Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, where their condition is stated to be critical. Four labourers escaped unhurt.