The Sewagram Ashram in neighbouring Wardha district where Mahatma
Gandhi stayed for six years after the Dandi March (1936 to 1948), is
all set to become a major tourist attraction with a 'Gandhi
for Tomorrow' theme park being developed there at an estimated
cost of Rs. 62 crore. The major attraction of 'Gandhi for Tomorrow'
is an international convention centre worth Rs. 95 crore, will be similar
to the centres that have been set up in the name of anti-apartheid activist
Nelson Mandela and 16th president of America, Abraham Lincoln. This
will be an appropriate memorial when the place is celebrating 75 years
of Gandhiji's stay in the area here, Wardha District Collector Nawin
Sona said.
He said the district administration was in the process of acquiring
10 acres of land for the theme park and the Maharashtra government has
already released Rs. 1.2 crore from the budgeted funds.
The theme park will depict that Gandhi was in favour of appropriate
technology and not against technology.
The state government will be spending a total of Rs. 537 crores for
developing Sewagarm, Paunar (from where Bhoodan leader Acharya Vinoba
Bhave launched his land agitation) and the Wardha township, along with
other projects including centres for science and local artisans, the
Collector said.
A total of 27 places will be developed including a 'heritage walk' route,
he said.
Minister of State for Finance and district Guardian minister Rajendra
Mulak, who is monitoring the project, said the convention centre will
include an auditorium and study centre for those keen to learn Gandhian
thoughts along with hostel facility etc.
Besides, Gandhian arts, culture and technology will also be developed,
he said.
Plans are also afoot for a four-lane Nagpur-Wardha road 'Ahimsa Marg'
which connects Sewagram.
The Sewagram Ashram will remain untouched and its adjoining land is
being acquired to develop these world class facilities, Mulak added.