The renovated Maritime block of Visakha Museum of GVMC is ready just in time for the International Fleet Review with a new look, a redone corridor roof with water theme and a number of new models. The block will be open to public from Wednesday.
It now has a new entrance and arch with the Navy insignia. The wall facing the entrance welcomes the visitors with 25X11-foot embossment on mural with three parts comprising a traditional warship and INS Shivalik and INS Ranvir, according to artist P.D. Prasad.
About 25 framed photographs of various craft and BRAHMOS are put up on all sides of the museum instead of only one corridor earlier.
“The plywood panels that displayed the photographs have been replaced with new eco-solvent prints and readable information panels. The new LED lighting facilitates easy and comfortable reading. Royal wood colour that suits the ambience has been mostly used,” explains architect Vamsikrishna Katta, who did the interiors. Using glass in total for display, replacing with wooden panelling gives full view of the artefacts accentuating the ambience, he says.
The designs have been given by the Navy and the work executed by GVMC. Panelling on the walls also has been done as a part of refurbishment.
Many new models, including that of an imposing Visakhapatnam class of destroyer, Scorpene sub-marine and expendable aerial target Banshee have been added to the Maritime block housed in the 150-year-old Dutch bungalow. A history of the Dutch bungalow that houses the Maritime block with an old photograph puts the significance of the building in perspective.
Exhibits
The museum displays the submariner’s gear worn by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam when he went into INS Sindhurakshak and his comments. The history of Japanese attack on Visakhapatnam in 1942 and the memorial plaque on those who died in it, the coconut shell broken by first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru while launching Jalausha, the first ship made by Scindia Shipyard Limited, remains of 1971 war and a copy of the letter written by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral S. M. Nanda after the victory in 1971 War also form part of the exhibits.
The museum gives comprehensive information on navigation, various craft, aircraft, gear of sailors, submariners etc.
The Navy had spent about Rs.30 lakh on interiors. Heritage Museum also has been refurbished with LED lighting and new panels for various artefacts.
On the Maritime Block and Heritage Block about Rs.1.5 crore has been spent, according to Municipal Commissioner Pravin Kumar. He visited the museum on Tuesday evening to inspect the finishing stages of work.
Royal wood colour that suits the ambience has been mostly used
Vamsikrishna Katta
Architect
