SRINAGAR: Department of Culture on Thursday observed International Museum Day by organizing a seminar and a special exhibition of various artifacts at SPS Museum.
The theme of the seminar was Museums and Contested Histories: Saying the Unspeakable in Museums was inaugurated by Dilshada Khan, Secretary to Government Department of Culture.
Artifacts including Kushan Gold Coins, Satanaite Coins, Mughal Coins, Kashmir Bronze, Manuscripts, Astro Lobe, Tiles of ancient period etc were showcased with detailed information and history of the objects during the exhibition.
Welcoming the participants Director Archives, Archeology & Museums Mohammad Shafi Zahid, gave resume of the activities of the department and highlighted the discoveries made by the department in past few years.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has a distinct geographical, religious, linguistic character which forms its diverse and composite heritage culture. Our Department has been a guardian of this heritage since 1898 Zahid said.
Elaborating he said the steps have been taken not only to preserve the heritage of the state but also to promote and propagate it, so that general masses come to know about their ancestral heritage preserved in our museums, he said.
Zahid said, the objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important means of cultural exchange enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples
Zahid request the Principles of all the schools both Government and private, to make museum tour part of their syllabus, so that every student of the state visits the museums and gets education though museum enjoyment tour.
Zahid, said government should depute at least two teachers well versed with history, to the SPS Museum so that our trained guide provide them initial training and then after trained teacher can easily imbibe education to their respective students.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Dilshada Khan said, “we are losing our heritage rapidly and we need to preserve it so that our future generation would know about our culture and heritage”
Dilshada said, Every nation is recognized by its culture and heritage. Here we are losing our identity because we are not serious about preserving it. We need to give the space to our culture so that we can be identified,
The chief guest on the occasion appreciated the efforts of the concerned department for conducting seminar and exhibition.
The department of Archeology has established two state Museums in the state SPS Museum Srinagar and Dogra Art Museum Jammu.
According to officials, the SPS Museum being one of the biggest museums of the county, wherein more than 75,000/- objects are preserved.
A new museums complex constructed recently is nearly complete. Almost 90% of the collections have been shifted, officials informed.
The objects in new museum complex are exhibited in chronological manner that itself briefs the history of our precious past. Every object is labeled with a brief note that provides sufficient education about the objects history and its use.
New Museum complex has been constructed as per modern scientific guidelines with special lighting, particularly due care is being given for the education through enjoyment to the school students, Zahid said.
He further added facilities are also provided to specially abled children to make their museum tour educational without facing any hurdles,
Eminent dignitaries including Professor Museology University of Baroda Dr. Ambika Pataiil, Historian Zareef Ahmad Zareef, Famous poet Ayoub Sabir, Ex-Director Archives Archaeology and Museums Prof. Ghulam Mahi-ud-din, and Cultural Activist Abdal Mehjoor also spoke at the event and explained the importance of museums as sources of education, in respect of various aspects of life.
During the event, a special book titled J&K Museums speak: History, Culture and Ethos, authored and edited by Director of the Department, Mohammad Shafi Zahid, was also released.
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