Ahmedabad, Feb 12 (NationPress) The historic Gujarat Vidyapith, founded by Mahatma Gandhi, is preparing to share the legacy of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai with a national audience by showcasing replicas of his Bharat Ratna and Nishan-e-Pakistan awards at the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library (PMML) in New Delhi.

This initiative comes after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two institutions in 2024.

The Morarji Desai Museum at Gujarat Vidyapith, which was established in 2003, houses a collection of the late Prime Minister’s personal items, state gifts, letters, and other artifacts, all donated to the institution following his will.

Advaita Dave, Museum Coordinator at Gujarat Vidyapith, stated to IANS, “In his will, Desai specified that all his belongings, including gifts, should be donated to Vidyapith. We are only sharing the replicas; the originals will remain here.”

The museum's collection features an extensive array of items that represent Desai’s personal and official life, including his khadi clothing and shoes, personal diary, congratulatory letters, a miniature charkha, wooden exercise equipment, a pair of golden scissors from a formal event, coins from Budapest and various parts of India, gifts from Thailand and Nagaland, and items crafted from cattle horn.

“For Gujarat Vidyapith, this is a significant moment. Desai was Chancellor for over three decades and held the institution in high regard. He actively participated in convocations and often spent a week interacting with students and faculty,” she added.

The decision to share the replicas was influenced by PMML Director Ashwani Lohani’s recent visit to the Vidyapith to assess the collection.

“In comparison to Vidyapith, there is limited material related to Desai accessible in Delhi,” Dave clarified.

This initiative will allow a broader audience to appreciate Desai’s contributions, particularly the honors that underline his role in Indo-Pak relations.

Desai is notably the only Indian Prime Minister to have received Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Pakistan, awarded to him in 1991, shortly after he was honored with the Bharat Ratna. The preparation and transfer of the replicas are expected to conclude within three to four months.

The MoU also facilitates collaboration between both institutions for research and digital resource sharing, ensuring Desai’s legacy is preserved and accessible to scholars and the public alike.

In 2025, the Vidyapith museum reported an average annual footfall of nearly 3,000 visitors, primarily students. The partnership with PMML is anticipated to expand this reach, showcasing Gujarat Vidyapith's role as the custodian of one of India’s most esteemed Prime Ministers’ legacies.