Why Should the Rajasthan House in New Delhi Reflect the State’s Architectural Art, Craftsmanship, and Culture?
Gopendra Nath Bhatt
Recently, Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister, Diya Kumari, who also serves as the State’s Minister of Public Works and Tourism, made an important statement during an inspection of the under-construction Rajasthan House on Prithviraj Road in New Delhi. She emphasized that the Rajasthan House should not be just a building but a mirror of Rajasthan. The construction should incorporate Rajasthan's stone, architectural art, craftsmanship, and culture, making visitors feel as if they have entered Rajasthan itself.
Diya Kumari stressed that the building should be developed in harmony with Rajasthani culture. It should prioritize the use of Rajasthani artisans’ skills and construction materials, whether it's Rajasthani stone or paintings. She advocated for ensuring the involvement of local craftsmen in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, aiming to provide employment opportunities for the state’s people while showcasing Rajasthani art and culture.
She also highlighted that if historical and modern buildings in Delhi can use Rajasthani stone, why should it not be extensively used in the Rajasthan House? Diya Kumari proposed creating a Business Center and Information Center within the building to offer comprehensive information about Rajasthan to domestic and international visitors, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople.
This guidance follows similar instructions given by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who had earlier directed engineers and officials to expedite the construction work. Currently, Rajasthan has only one state guest house in New Delhi, which is facing high demand due to limited rooms. Newly elected MPs stay there, and the Chief Minister often has to shift from the Jodhpur House when the Governor is in the capital.
The idea of making Rajasthan House in New Delhi a reflection of the state’s architectural art, craftsmanship, and culture stems from the success of Gujarat’s newly constructed Garvi Gujarat building on Akbar Road. This building, made with Rajasthani stones and architectural style, has become a center of attraction since its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2019. It showcases Gujarat’s rich art and culture, including Lippan art, Modhera Sun Temple, and Kutch crafts, blending traditional and modern architecture while being environmentally friendly with features like rainwater harvesting and solar power generation.
Garvi Gujarat, a symbol of Gujarati pride, is admired for its beauty and eco-friendly design. It includes a restaurant serving traditional Gujarati cuisine at affordable prices and a souvenir shop for handicrafts, making it popular among Delhi residents and tourists.
The Rajasthan House project in New Delhi was initiated during the tenure of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was inspired by the Garvi Gujarat building. He had directed officials to inspect the Gujarat building and subsequently ordered the renovation of Bikaner House and Udaipur House, along with the demolition of the old Rajasthan House on Prithviraj Road to pave the way for a new building.
Under the guidance of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the expansion projects for Bikaner House and the construction of a student hostel at Udaipur House were also initiated. According to senior manager Hemant Vinay, the new Rajasthan House is expected to be completed by April-May 2025.
If the new Rajasthan House truly becomes a reflection of the state’s architectural art, craftsmanship, and culture, it could become a new point of attraction among the various embassies and state buildings in the national capital. It remains to be seen how well the new Rajasthan House will meet the expectations of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and the general public.
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