Gandhi Smriti in Delhi

Gandhi Smriti, previously adverted as Birla House or Birla Bhavan, is basically a museum established to commemorate the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi Smriti Museum located at Birla House, New Delhi.

It is the spot where Mahatma Gandhi lived his last 144 days of life before the assassination took place on the fateful day of Jan 30, 1948.  The acquisition of Gandhi Smriti by the Government of India came about during 1971, and the place was opened up for public access on August 15, 1973.

Distinguished as the Gandhi Smriti meaning Gandhi Commemoration in English, the museum features a spectacular collection of snaps on Mahatma Gandhi and few of his belongings. 

As a result of earnest efforts, a new division of the digital multimedia museum was initiated in the location and is acknowledged as the Eternal Gandhi Multimedia Museum instituted in the year 2005. Gandhi Smriti and Gandhi Darshan at Rajghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi) were merged in September 1984 and collectively called as Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, GSDS in short. Subsequently, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti were constituted as a self-governing body and operating with the assistance of Cultural department of the Government of India.

The Prime Minister of India (chairman of the museum) and several other representatives like Vice-Chairperson, Executive Committee Chairperson, Member Secretary, Director and Members of administrative divisions of Indian Government assist in the functioning of the Museum. The primary intention of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti is to widely propagate the biography and thoughts of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi through diverse educational and cultural events.

Gandhi Memorial Museum features two campuses viz. Gandhi Smriti and International Centre of Gandhian Studies and Research.

The Gandhi Smriti division alone accommodates three different segments. First segment is the awe-inspiring audio and visual media segment to portray the views and thoughts of the father of our nation. This particular audio and visual media segment was set up with the intention of making the future generations aware of the great soul of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and his principles and teachings.

The second segment is the Educational Centre where attention is given on the principles and values which Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi practised throughout his life and, which ultimately made him as a Mahatma. The educational prospect includes many aspects of Mahatma Gandhi like Ahimsa and Satyagraha.

The last segment is the Service segment which was constituted to coordinate events in the museum in order to help people who love to contribute towards the mission of Mahatma Gandhi. The primary intention is to encourage and educate on teh values of Gandhi. The service segment also encourages interested people to arrange events and hence building a channel to spread and uphold Gandhism.

International Centre of Gandhian Studies and Research Division

The second campus addressed as the International Centre of Gandhian Studies and Research is located in a closer proximity to the memorial Site of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. The campus spreads over 36 acres, which came into operation during the year 1969 to memorialize the centennial of Mahatma Gandhi. An International Gandhi Darshan Exhibition was put up to mark this very special occasion.

Today, the second campus of Gandhi Smriti, was converted into an International Centre of Gandhian Studies and Research (ICGSR) after continuous development accounted and ultimately accomplishing the quality of an educational centre of international stature.

Presently, the International Centre of Gandhian Studies and Research offers exclusive exposition on Mahatma Gandhi It provides a large room for gatherings or events, encampment facilities, library, kids corner and a dedicated publication division. The centre releases a journal, namely Anasakti Darshan as well.

One of the major highlights of Gandhi Smriti is its stunning entry as witnessing the large sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi with kids holding a dove with letterings below of Gandhiji's remarkable words 'My Life is My Message' will give people instant goose-bumps for certain.