Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the newly renovated Bantony Castle complex here on Wednesday evening and said that the complex has been transformed into a vibrant reflection of our culture and history. He said that the restored Bantony Castle complex now stands as a testament to Shimla's rich heritage and promises to be a cultural treasure house for generations to adore and learn about the iconic building and the history of 'Shyamla', now Shimla.
Revamped at a cost of Rs. 25 crore, it has infused a new life into three historical marvels within the complex. Spanning across 20,000 square meters, the newly renovated marvel boasts of stunning Anglo-Gothic architecture and is expected to be a major attraction for tourists and locals.
Terming this historically significant marvel as an architectural masterpiece, the Chief Minister said that visitors to the Bantony Castle can now explore captivating exhibits dedicated to various facets of history, which include insights into Mahatma Gandhi's visits to Shimla, detailed biographies of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar and Satyanand Stokes, a comprehensive history of Shimla city and a tribute to the Bravehearts of Indian freedom struggle.
The rich culture of the tribal area of Spiti offering a glimpse into the region's unique traditions will also be on display, the CM added. The Chief Minister witnessed a laser light and sound show, voiced by the Bollywood icon Anupam Kher, depicting the illustrious history of the erstwhile summer capital, Shimla, stating that it will give an insight into the history and culture of Shimla.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Speaker Vidhan Sabha, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Health Minister, Dr. Dhani Ram Shandil, Industries Minister, Harshwardhan Chauhan, Education Minister, Rohit Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthy, various MLAs, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Advisor (Media) to Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (IT and Innovations), Gokul Butail, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Bharat Khera and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.