Smriti Irani and Shekhar Kapur Appointed to New PM Museum Team; Nripendra Mishra Secures Extended Term
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Synopsis
The Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library has seen a reconstitution of its society and executive council, with new members including Smriti Irani and Shekhar Kapur. Nripendra Mishra retains his role as chairperson for another five years. This change reflects the museum's evolving focus on India's leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Reconstitution of the PMML society and executive council.
- New members include prominent figures like Smriti Irani and Shekhar Kapur.
- Nripendra Mishra continues as chairperson for five more years.
- Expansion of the executive council from 29 to 34 members.
- Focus on inclusivity and dynamic engagement in understanding India's political history.
New Delhi, Jan 15 (NationPress) In a noteworthy development, the society and executive council of the Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library (PMML) have undergone reconstitution, welcoming a host of new members to its ranks. Nripendra Mishra, the former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, has been granted an additional five-year term as the chairperson of this esteemed organization.
Among the esteemed new members joining the PMML society are former Union Minister Smriti Irani, ex-NITI Aayog Vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, retired Army General Syed Ata Hasnain, celebrated filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, and Vasudev Kamath of Sanskar Bharati. These individuals contribute a wealth of diverse expertise and experience, reflecting the PMML's evolving mission.
The key decision-making body, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as president and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as vice-president, has also seen an expansion. The executive council, which previously comprised 29 members, has now grown to include 34 members. This expansion is part of a reconstitution order from the Ministry of Culture, ensuring that the PMML’s society and executive council will function for the next five years unless directed otherwise.
Notably, some prominent figures have not been reappointed to the new council, including former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, University Grants Commission Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, President of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Ram Bahadur Rai, and journalist Rajat Sharma.
The newly reconstituted society also embraces key contributors to national development, such as Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, and educationist Chamu Krishna Shastry, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the National Education Policy. Additionally, archaeologists KK Mohammad, known for his involvement in the Babri Masjid excavation in 1976, and BR Mani, the director of the National Museum, have also joined the society.
Rizwan Kadri, a researcher recognized for his contributions to discussions about the return of Nehru papers, has retained his position within the organization’s society.
This reconstitution represents a significant step in the evolution of the PMML, particularly following the renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML) to PMML in 2023.
The government, under Narendra Modi, previously proposed establishing a museum dedicated to all Indian Prime Ministers, a vision that materialized with the launch of the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in 2022. Despite facing political opposition, the museum and its library remain vital in preserving and showcasing the legacy of India’s leaders.
The reconstitution of the PMML society and executive council underscores a commitment to evolving the institution into a more inclusive and dynamically engaging platform for understanding India’s political history and its leaders.
