Hyderabad, June 14 (IANS) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday described the Salar Jung Museum as the embodiment of Hyderabad’s soul and a living testament to religious harmony and secularism.

He participated in the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Salar Jung Museum and the 137th birth anniversary of Salar Jung III Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, the man behind the world’s largest single-person collection of antiques and art.

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, state Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, AIMIM MLA Mir Zulfeqar Ali and others also addressed the celebrations.

The Deputy Chief Minister hailed Salar Jung III, former Prime Minister of the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, as a visionary who captured the essence of the world.

He noted that while people often forget small items such as spectacles or car keys, Salar Jung III preserved an entire world civilisation.

He remarked that collecting 43,000 artefacts was not merely an act of collection but a reflection of his immense devotion to art.

He praised Salar Jung III’s unparalleled generosity in using his personal resources to acquire rare global treasures and historical objects, ultimately transforming them into public assets.

He noted that the museum houses Hindu bronze idols, copies of the Holy Quran, Christian Madonna sculptures and Buddhist artefacts under one roof.

He highlighted the unique presence of ritual objects that combine the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu with verses from the Quran.

He remarked that this was not merely a speech about religious harmony but living proof of secularism — an embodiment of the Deccan’s ‘Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb’ (syncretic culture).

He described the Musi River, flowing beside the museum, as a stream of Hyderabad’s memories.

He said that the Telangana government is committed to cleaning up the long-neglected Musi River and transforming it into an international-standard riverfront, akin to the Thames in London or the Seine in Paris.

He envisioned the Salar Jung Museum not merely as an isolated building but as a cultural crown jewel of the revitalised Musi riverfront.

The Minister said a comprehensive plan was being prepared to allow tourists to travel along the river, walk through heritage streets and view historical artefacts.

He emphasised that Hyderabad is defined by more than just the Charminar and is also a city of Cyber Towers.

He noted the rapid growth of quantum computing and highlighted that, alongside its famous biryani, the city has emerged as a global powerhouse in biotechnology, information technology and pharmaceuticals.

Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka observed that Hyderabad has never chosen between the past and the future and has embraced both wholeheartedly.

He said that the Old City heritage circuit — comprising the Charminar, Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Chowmahalla Palace and Falaknuma Palace — would be linked with the Salar Jung Museum.

He announced plans for improved transport facilities, night tourism and guided walks in Telugu, Urdu, Hindi and English.

The Minister emphasised that heritage should not merely be a source of pride but should also provide livelihoods to thousands of people, including local guides, artisans and those employed in the hospitality and transport sectors.

–IANS

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