'Zero-To-ISRO': Pragati Maidan Convention Centre To Depict India's Space Exploration Journey

Developed in the shape of a shankha (coonch), the newly built International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) at Pragati Maidan will demonstrate the rich culture and heritage of India and also the nation’s journey from “Zero to ISRO”.

The IECC built at an estimated cost of Rs 2,700 crore, will host the G20 Leaders summit in September.

According to the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), the agency responsible for construction of the centre, walls of the convention centre will depict the strong characteristics of India, its confidence and conviction in its past, while embracing modern facilities and way of life.

For example, the foyer of the convention hall has sculptures showcasing different asanas of Yoga.

One of the key highlights is the pre-function wall depicting Surya Shakti, giving impetus to India’s thrust towards green energy in setting up of the International Solar Alliance and the 'One Sun, One World, One Grid', the idea proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the IECC on Wednesday (26 July).

Another pre-function wall depicts India’s wheels of progress, the journey from ‘Zero to ISRO’, celebrating achievements in space exploration from Aryabhatta to Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan.

Sources said the government-owned NBCC, which is implementing the project, had engaged artists and sculpturors from different parts of the country for the art works.

The typography wall in the convention centre depicts the “Pancha Mahabhuta — Universal Foundation,” which signifies the basic building blocks of universal foundation — the five essential elements (sky, air, fire, water and earth) of all creations.

Officials said the theme of G20 — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — is the soul of the interiors and the artworks in the convention centre. The tag line of India’s presidency will be displayed in different languages of the participating nations.

The plenary hall in the convention centre has been built with a peacock theme based on peacock, the national bird of India.

The raw materials have been procured for fabrication of the sculptures from different parts of India. For example, the carpets have been tailor-made at Bhadohi and Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh and also from Kashmir, which have been made by nearly 100 artisan families.

“PM Modi had given directions to source some carpets from Jammu and Kashmir. Tanjore paintings have also been used in the convention centre which are sourced from South India,” said a source.

The convention centre also has Kalamkari and Madhubani paintings, showcasing peek into the folk history of India and also gives these art forms a platform to further build ‘Brand India’ by being ‘vocal for local’.

The tribal art forms such as Gond and Warli Paintings have also been put at the centre.

For the convenience of participants, the centre has 5G-enabled fully Wi-Fi covered campus, 10G Intranet connectivity, interpreter room equipped with cutting-edge technology to support 16 different languages, and advanced audio visual systems with big video walls.