Raj Rewal speaking at the India International Centre, 14th April, 2016

In the hope of preserving the Hall of Nations and the Nehru Pavilion at Pragati Maidan from demolition, an exhibition showcasing architectural and structural designs by Raj Rewal and Mahendra Raj respectively has been set up at the India International Centre here.

The exhibition, set up in response to the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation’s decision to bulldoze these iconic structures constructed to celebrate 25 years of Independence, saw a huge turnout. On display were photographs of the iconic marvel, besides the structural engineering drawings of the complex.

“It is sad that a country like India, which takes pride in its historic architecture, is ready to demolish the Hall of Nations. It is the cultural destruction of our modernist architectural heritage that drew significant international recognition,” Mr. Rewal told The Hindu .

He further talked about the need for legal provisions to shield such structures from being altered or demolished as the existing law only protects buildings that are over 100 years old. Ever since the redevelopment plans for Pragati Maidan were announced by the ITPO, a number of institutions, most notably the International Union of Architects (UIA), have been petitioning to save these structures.

Mr. Raj, who designed the structures, said he is ready to fight for them till the very end, as tearing them down will be a huge loss for Delhi. (The writer is an intern with The Hindu)