Almost two years after making the announcement, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation has failed to re-name its science museum in honour of the December 16 gang-rape victim or carry out the promised renovations.
On February 6, 2013, the civic body had announced that its Children Resource Centre Museum in R.K. Puram will be re-named “Brave Heart Museum” and Rs.20 crore will be allotted for its renovation. Members of the victim’s family were present during the announcement that day.
But a visit to the centre on Tuesday showed that nothing had changed — the name displayed outside was still the same and the interiors still housed the years-old exhibits.
SDMC Standing Committee chairperson Subhash Arya said the name had been changed on paper as the House had cleared the same. “I will have to check why the new name has not been displayed,” he said.
The initial deadline for renovations was March 31. But Mr. Arya admitted that the work had not started so far.
“We have written to the ONGC for funding under their corporate social responsibility initiative. We hope to start the renovation soon,” he said.
Centre curator Dhruv Prasad Soni said the museum was yet to catch up with the rest. The centre was started in 1985 and included syllabus-based exhibits for primary school students.
“There hasn’t been any massive renovation over the years. We are yet to get the latest display technology and information boards. But talks are on with the National Council of Science Museums for improving it,” said Mr. Soni.
SDMC Leader of Opposition Farhad Suri said the BJP-led corporation had “taken advantage of a tragedy, but failed to fulfil its promise”.
