Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society renamed; Rajnath backs decision

Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society has been renamed as the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library Society to make the institution's memory more democratic in its representation of the leaders

Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society has been renamed as Prime Ministers' Museum and Library Society in an effort to honour all the leaders who have held the position of Prime Minister in India, decided an executive council chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who also serves as the vice-president of the society.

In his address, Rajnath Singh expressed support for the name change proposal. He reiterated that the institution now showcases the contributions of all Prime Ministers, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi, and their responses to various challenges.

Singh further stated that this resolution to change the name shows respect for all previous Prime Ministers, ensures democratic representation, and acknowledges the institution as a collective entity.

The idea of establishing a museum dedicated to all the Prime Ministers of India at Teen Murti Premises in New Delhi was originally proposed by Prime Minister Modi in 2016.

The Executive Council of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) approved the construction of the museum of all the Prime Ministers in the Teen Murti estate during its 162nd meeting on November 25, 2016.

The project was subsequently completed, and the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (Prime Ministers' Museum) was opened to the public on April 21, 2022.

After the museum's inauguration, the executive council felt that the name of the institution should reflect its current activities, which include showcasing the collective journey of democracy in Independent India and highlighting the contributions of each Prime Minister in nation-building.

The museum now blends with the renovated Nehru Museum building, which will feature technologically advanced displays of the life and contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Nripendra Misra, the chairman of the executive council, reiterated that the new name, Prime Ministers' Museum, reflects the nation's "deep commitment to democracy" and represents the institution's evolved form.