President Murmu leaves her mark as Shimla’s 173-year-old heritage Rashtrapati Niwas is thrown open to public

Shimla: In her first visit to Shimla, President Droupadi Murmu, may have spent just four days in the Himachal capital—known for its heritage buildings and colonial landmarks but she has charmed the hill town in more ways than one.

The greatest gift of the President to Shimla, after 75 years of Independence, is her decision to open the 173-year-old majestic “ The Retreat” – the summer holiday resort of the President of India, to the public.

The sprawling complex with two-storey heritage buildings depicting the finest in European architecture had remained out of bounds for the public. Except for brief summer holidays by the Presidents and their families, the Retreat—now named as Rashtrapati Niwas, Mashobra, the property used to remain closed through out the year.

The outstanding feature of this building is that it is purely a wooden structure with ‘dhajji’ (use of mud and wooden frames) wall construction in an area of 10,628 square feet.

The building with a fascinating façade, well laid gardens and landscapes overlooked by tulip gardens will be open to the visitors from April 23, 2023 between 10 am and 5 pm, except Mondays and other government holidays.

Murmu graced the ceremony to dedicate Rashtrapati Niwas to the public in presence of Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu by unveiling the plaque in the lawns of the complex with all surroundings of tall ciders and deodars.

Till now, the property located at Chharabra valley was restricted to VVIP use during stays of Presidents and their guests.

“ This is the second such property after Rashtrapati Nilayam, Secunderabad to be opened to the public. I invited you all to visit Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi and also its gardens whenever you happened to be in the union capital” President said at “the Home”—a civic reception she had hosted at Rashtrapati Niwas.

The visitors can also have glimpses of the heritage building from inside. They can walk through its lawns, orchards and nature trails. For visitors’ convenience there will be provision for cloakroom, wheelchair, café, souvenir shop, restrooms, water dispensers and a first aid set up.

Beside some of the rare and eventful photos of all previous Presidents—the occupants of Rashtrapati Bhawan, foreign dignitaries, her recent photographs including flight on a Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft, Rashtrapati Niwas now has Himachali touch inside.

As many as 26 artworks ranging from Thangka Paintings, Chamba Rumal, Kangra Miniature paintings, Traditional jewellery artifacts, traditional local costume collages and hand sketches of historical buildings are on display in the heritage building, including the dining hall.

These creative works were conceptualised and executed by Akshita Sharma, Design Consultant on behalf of HP state Handloom and Handicraft’s Corporation Ltd. All the artworks were done by local artists in the state.

Earlier in the day, the President visited the Indian Institute of Advanced Study in Shimla which was established by the former President of India, Dr S Radhakrishnan, with the aim to promote high-quality academic work in humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

As per history of the place, the Retreat building was originally constructed by the then Medical Superintendent of Shimla.

The Retreat was taken on lease from Raja of Koti by Lord William Hay. The local population used to call it as “Larty Sahib Ki Kothi as Lord William Hay was named by locals.

The lease of the Retreat was then taken by Sir William Mansfield, Commander-in-Chief, and then By Sir Edward Buck in 1881. In 1896, Raja of Koti used his right of pre-emption and took possession of the estate.

Thereafter the Retreat was consigned to the government on permanent lease by Raja of Koti. The Earl of Elgin was the first Viceroy of India to have used the Retreat as a Viceregal residence. Lord Elgin secured use of the Retreat for future viceroys and constantly spent his weekends there.

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