Bhubaneswar: The Tourism department Wednesday signed an agreement with Aditya Birla Group to develop the Interpretation Centre at Khandagiri-Udayagiri here as an Eternal Gandhi Peace Centre.
As per the agreement, the Interpretation Centre built on five-acre land in 2013 will be operationalised on the theme of Eternal Gandhi Interactive Museum which will impart knowledge on cardinal principle of truth and non-violence of Mahatma Gandhi. Since Mahatma Gandhi had visited Orissa seven times, it has been proposed that one block of the Interpretation Centre will be dedicated to highlight his visit to the state and places he has covered during the visits.
Besides, the interpretation centre will also highlight the principles of Jainism which flourished in Khandagiri-Udayagiri hills.
The government said that the Aditya Birla Group will develop the centre as ‘Eternal Gandhi Peace Centre’ and will also bear the cost of the project. It further said the MoU will remain valid for 15 years.
Tourism Secretary Arti Ahuja said, “The centre is expected to help attract a large number of domestic and international tourists to the historic Khandagiri-Udayagiri hills.”
The MoU was signed by Tourism Direct on behalf of state Tourism department and Bharat Parekh on behalf Birla group in presence of Tourism Minister Ashok Panda and Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan.
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