New Delhi/Hyderabad, Mar 22 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday opened Rashtrapati Nilayam, one of the three presidential retreats, in Secunderabad to the public, an official statement said.
This is the first time that the heritage building is being opened to the general public. Earlier, people could visit only the gardens around it once a year for a limited time period, the statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
“During the tour of the Nilayam, one can see the building from inside, including the Presidential wing, and dining area; and can enjoy traditional cheriyal paintings of Telangana strolling through the underground tunnel connecting the Nilayam kitchen to the dining hall,” it said.
Visitors can learn about the history of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Rashtrapati Nilayam, know about the Constitution and get a glimpse of the role and responsibilities of the President of India in the ‘Knowledge Gallery’ which was earlier used as stables, it said.
In the Knowledge Gallery’s courtyard, visitors can take selfies with the buggy and the President’s limousine.
Visitors can also explore the Jai Hind Ramp and Flag Post point as well as the Nature Trail on the premises of Rashtrapati Nilayam, the statement added.
Various sections of the garden of the Nilayam such as Rock Garden, Herbal Garden, and Butterfly and Nakshatra Gardens will remain open to the public, it said, adding that one can obtain information about fruits, trees and flowers by scanning the QR codes placed there.
President Murmu attended the ceremony through video conferencing in the presence of Governor of Telangana Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy, Home Minister of Telangana Mohammed Mahmood Ali and other dignitaries at Rashtrapati Nilayam here.
On the occasion, she also laid the foundation stones for the restoration and conservation of the Jai Hind Ramp and a replica of the historic Flag Post.
The Jai Hind Ramp is connected to a historic step well that catered to the water needs of Rashtrapati Nilayam in the past, while the flag post marked the integration of the erstwhile princely State of Hyderabad into the Indian Union in 1948.
Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu said the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Presidential retreats belong to every Indian.
“It is our endeavour that all citizens, especially our young generation, know about the freedom fighters and respect the values associated with our freedom struggle,” she said. “With this idea, a Knowledge Gallery has been established in Rashtrapati Nilayam which would provide information related to the history of Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Nilayam, and about the unsung heroes of our Independence.” She urged people, especially children and youth, to visit Rashtrapati Nilayam and connect with their heritage.
Governor Soundararajan said the opening up of the historic Rashtrapati Nilayam to the public round the year presents a great opportunity to the people to visit and experience its glory and magnificence.
She expressed her gratitude on behalf of people of the Telangana to the President for allowing the transformation of Rashtrapati Nilayam into a tourist spot.
“It will immensely contribute to the glory of tourism in Telangana in general and in Hyderabad in particular,” she said, adding, that the chance to visit Rashtrapati Nilayam would greatly increase the number of tourists coming to the city of pearls.
The opening up of Rashtrapati Nilayam to the people is “one more historic initiative of the President who earlier renamed Mughal Gardens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (in New Delhi) as ‘Amrit Udyan'”, she said.
“Renaming of Gardens is a symbol of asserting India’s self identity and it has rightly done away with colonial-era practices,” the Governor said.
Governor Soundararajan, inspired by the initiatives of the President in opening up Rashtrapati Bhavan and Rashtrapati Nilayam to the common public, said, “I bring to the notice of President that we at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad are also looking at different initiatives to make Raj Bhavan accessible to the people,” she said.
Thanking President Murmu for opening up Rashtrapati Nilayam to the people, Union Minister Kishan Reddy said the public would be able to learn about the visits of all Presidents, from first President Rajendra Prasad to the incumbent Droupadi Murmu — just like one can learn about all Indian Prime Ministers at the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya established by the Central government in Delhi.
Hyderabad is home to the famous Salar Jung Museum, Golconda Fort and Charminar and other tourism destinations, with Rashtrapati Nilayam being a new addition for sightseeing, he said. The location of the Presidential Retreats, ‘The Retreat Building’ in Shimla and ‘Rashtrapati Nilayam’ in Hyderabad, one in north and another in south, symbolises the unity of our country and unity of diverse cultures and people, according to the President of India website.
Located at Bolarum here, the Rashtrapati Nilayam building was taken over from the Nizam of Hyderabad after India gained independence and handed over to the President’s Secretariat.
Constructed in 1860, the building is located on a total land area of 90 acres. A single-storeyed building, it has 11 bedrooms apart from a dining hall, cinema hall, darbar hall, morning room, etc.
The President of India visits Rashtrapati Nilayam and stays over at least once a year and conducts official business from here.
Rashtrapati Nilayam will be open to the general public throughout the year, except during the President’s southern sojourn.
Visitors can book their slots online through visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in.
A walk-in booking facility will also be available at the reception office at Rashtrapati Nilayam. People can visit the Nilayam six days a week (except Mondays and government holidays) from 10 AM to 5 PM, with the last entry at 4 PM.
A nominal registration charge of Rs 50 per person for Indian nationals and Rs 250 per person for foreign nationals will be applicable.
Apart from tour guides, basic amenities such as parking, cloakroom, wheelchairs, café, souvenir shop, restrooms and drinking water and first aid facilities will be available. PTI AKV SJR VVK ANE 3/14/2023 HDA
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