Following its recent restoration, the prestigious UNESCO 2023 Merit Award has been bestowed upon the renowned David Sassoon Library and Reading Room in Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda area. This 19th-century Gothic masterpiece, completed 150 years in 2017 and also holds Grade I status on Mumbai’s heritage list.
The award acknowledges the restoration’s success in remedying water leakages and timber deterioration, ultimately restoring the Victorian aesthetic. Renowned conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah led the Rs 3.5 crore project, supported by contributors such as ICICI Foundation and Israeli Consulate.
Beyond its architectural significance, the library is historically revered as the site where Babasaheb Ambedkar crafted the final draft of the Indian Constitution. UNESCO’s recognition represents a significant triumph for this cultural and literary landmark.
