PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has finalised the entry fee for the freedom fighters museum located in Nanawada. Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated it in June 2019. It was not thrown open to the public as the issue of ticket rates could not be solved. Now, it will open soon.
On Tuesday, the Standing Committee approved the entry fee proposal, which was tabled by PMC Heritage Department. As per the approved proposal, an adult will have to pay Rs 25 (foreigner Rs 300) and a child over 12 years of age will pay Rs 10. For PMC and government school students, it will be free. However, PMC will charge Rs 10 for all other students. It will be free for Divyang children.
Freedom fighters’ museum is located at Nanawada near Shaniwarwada. Nanawada was built in 1780 by Nana Phadnavis, the chief administrative officer of the Peshwas.
The PMC has named it ‘Swaraj, journey of freedom fighters’. It has spent over Rs 3.5 crore for restoration of the first floor of Nanawada and set up the museum.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator-turned-MLA of Kasba Peth Mukta Tilak took the initiative for the museum. Then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had inaugurated it before the announcement of the code of conduct for the State Assembly elections. However, it was not opened to the public as the entry fees were not finalised.
The PMC Heritage Cell was given a proposal to finalise the entry fees. However, it was high compared to entry fees of other historical places. So, the project was stuck. Finally, the PMC Heritage Cell revised the rates and sent a proposal to the Standing Committee for its approval.
The museum exhibits
PMC Heritage Cell Head Harshada Shinde said, “It is a museum which tells the story of freedom fighters from Pune. It is the first such museum of PMC in the city, dedicated to the freedom fighters. It includes stories on the lives of freedom fighters Umaji Naik, Vasudeo Balwant Phadke, Krantiveer Lahuji Vastad, the Indian rebellion of 1857, Adivasi movement, moderate movement, Chapekar Brothers and social reformers.”
An entire section is dedicated to Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Every gallery will give the visitor a single message through the use of murals, paintings, light and sound to re-enact history and Pune’s involvement in the freedom struggle.
