Modelled on US centre, MCG plans Constitution hub in Gurgaon

Gurgaon: Even as the city waits for the Camera Museum, billed as the world’s largest, to be inaugurated, MCG is trying to set up a Constitution Connect Centre here, modelled on the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia. It will be developed by the corporation in association with the NGO, We The People.
MCG has received a proposal from the organisation to set up the interactive multimedia learning centre in Nathupur. The centre will be spread over 20,000 sq ft, with ample parking for visitors. It will have halls dedicated to permanent and occasional exhibitions, lecture and workshop spaces, library, citizen’s desk, rest rooms, café and souvenir shop.
“We’ve received the proposal and already identified land in Nathupur to set up the centre. Once the land has been finalised, the proposal will be tabled in the House and then sent over to the state government for final approval,” said a senior MCG official, adding the proposal is currently at an initial stage.
He further said the total cost of the project is expected to be around Rs 10 crore. MCG will primarily be responsible for the land. “We might provide some additional funds, but most of the cost will be arranged by the NGO through various channels,” said the official.
MCG has studied Philadelphia’s National Constitution Centre and found that it receives nearly one lakh visitors every year, which brings substantial revenue from ticket sales. Officials at We The People said the centre will contain areas devoted to exhibitions, installations, talks and educational recreation, showcasing photographs, audio, speeches, videos, interactive digital content and experiential exercise.
“The centre will be a non-partisan space with interrelated but distinct themes. We’ll focus on the foundational document of citizenship — the Indian Constitution. We’ll also highlight stories of citizens who have played an active role in fostering constitutional values through the years,” stated the project proposal, shared by the NGO.
The proposal further mentions that the centre will have interactive installations for visitors to gain an understanding of how governance works — roles of the various arms of the state and local government. Here, spaces and opportunities will be created for citizens to volunteer and work in collaboration with local authorities on different aspects of governance.