NEW DELHI: Referring to the ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum’ that will be housed in the iconic North and South Block, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the transformation of what once was a centre of power into a cynosure of culture.According to a statement from the ministry of culture, the PM made these remarks during an interaction on Thursday with the chairman of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Ram Bahadur Rai, and member secretary, Dr Sachchidanand Joshi along with other trustees, called on the PM ahead of the 39th Foundation Day celebrations of the institution.TOI had reported in January that the first gallery of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum – billed to be the largest museum in the world – is slated to open at the end of this year in the North Block. The museum is expected to be completed with all its galleries over three years.In a post on X later on Thursday evening the PM said he “discussed various aspects relating to further popularising India’s diverse culture.”“We also explored ways to bring more people into this journey, strengthen outreach through digital and grassroots initiatives and support artists and scholars in preserving and promoting our rich heritage,” the PM said.“While speaking to us about the many initiatives the govt has taken to create greater awareness about culture, the Prime Minister cited the example of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum project. He shared that it reflects the importance the govt places on culture as earlier the North and South blocks symbolised the seat of power, but that has changed now, as that space has been given for the purpose of civilisational continuity to create a museum where the future generations will be able to come and learn about India’s culture,” Joshi told TOI.He also said that the PM asserted the need to build awareness about history and heritage across the country and the need to engage with youth in urban and rural India.“The PM also emphasised the importance of understanding Bharat through a feeling of ‘Swa’,” the ministry of culture said in a statement.