Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture and Member of Parliament New Delhi Lok Sabha, inaugurated a historic Heritage Park at Ajmal Khan Park, Karol Bagh, New Delhi on March 02nd 2024 in the presence of MCD officials.
The Heritage Park has been built in record time at the tune of over 4 crores from the MPLAD Funds of Hon’ble MP (New Delhi) Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi. The foundation stone was laid by the Hon’ble Minister on 29th September 2023 and has been inaugurated within 6 months. The theme Park has been built on 4.5 acres of land and includes replicas of the invaluable 15 UNESCO heritage sites of India and 05 wheels of heritage.
The Park has been developed as Heritage Park under Waste to Art project using waste materials like old trucks, cars, electricity poles, pipes, angle iron, seized rickshaws, etc. that were collected by the MCD.
The replicas include heritage sites like the Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Durga Temple Aihol (Karnataka), Amer Fort of Jaipur (Rajasthan), Champaner (Gujarat), Mahabodhi, Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Bhimbetka Caves (Madhya Pradesh), Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra), Red Fort of Delhi among many others.
The Wheels of Heritage includes the Ancient Wheel from the Indus Valley Civilisation, Konark Chakra Sun Temple (Odisha), Hampi Wheel (Karnataka), Sharma Chakra Great Stupa Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh) and Wheel Airatatesvara Temple of Chola Dynasty (Tamil Nadu).
The Heritage Park is envisaged to give a glimpse of the architectural marvels of India at one single destination. The Park features 15 sculptures including 05 Heritage Wheels in 3D, all recreated from scrap waste.
The park is synonymous with the Modi Government’s initiative of Swachh Bharat Mission integrating with the vision of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi and Dekho Apna Desh, Kaushal Vikas while using the three principles of reuse, reduce and recycle to transform waste into an art piece.
About 150 tonnes of scrap was used in the construction work of this park which was developed in 05 months by 08 artists, 22 assistant artists and 150 artisans.
Smt. Lekhi said that the Central Government under the leadership of PM Modi has left no stone unturned to beautify Delhi in a way that it showcases the rich cultural heritage of Bharat as well as the developmental outlook for the Amrit Kaal. She said that the Modi Government has been working with the motto of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi.
Delhi has seen a major beautification drive and the Heritage Park is yet another feather to the city’s cap. The residents appreciated the effort and thanked Smt. Lekhi for the installation of the sculptures which are enhancing the beauty of the area.
