Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Development of the North- Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the first of its kind, a two- day Global Summit at Hyderabad on ‘Reimagining Museums in India’.
The participants from countries such as India, Australia, France, Italy, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States are attending the summit being held virtually on February 15 &16, 2022. The Summit inauguration event was also attended and addressed by Alberto Garlindini, President of International Council of Museums; Weber Nodoro, Director General of International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of the Cultural Property, and Lily Pandeya, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, according to a PIB release.
Reddy while addressing the summit inauguration said, “India is a land of rich cultural heritage and this needs to be preserved, propagated, and perpetuated. I believe our museums provide a wonderful medium to achieve these goals.”
He added, “Today our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given all of us the mantra of Vikas and Virasat. With this vision for Vikas, we are ensuring that the poorest of the poor receive the benefits of development and with Virasat we protect our wonderful heritage.”
The summit has been organised under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the flagship programme to mark 75th anniversary of India’s independence and celebrate the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements. Reddy said, “As we celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, we are proud to renew our focus and dedication to preserving, protecting, and perpetuating our cultural heritage. I believe that museums play a pivotal role in reviving our glorious past. Today India’s 1000+ museums are instrumental in not just showcasing and preserving the cultural heritage, but also educating future generations.”
The Union Minister highlighted the role of other ministries and departments in promoting and upgradation of the museums present across the country. He said, “the Government of India is also developing 10 museums on tribal freedom fighters to recognise their contribution in our freedom struggle and is continuing to support specialised museums such as Textiles and Crafts museums, Defence Museums, and Railway Museums.”
Giving details, the Minister said “As per the mandate, the Ministry of Culture also works for supporting and promoting our museums. Since 2014, the Ministry of Cculture has funded 110 museums across the country and in order to promote scientific temper, 18 science museums are also being developed. Apart from this, the Archaeological Survey of India, which functions under the Ministry, runs 52 museums across the country.”
While recognising the efforts of the Ministry of Culture, Reddy said, “The Ministry of Culture is working on an inclusive model that involves artists, museum professionals, and educators and places them at the core of the museums in the country. Our museums need to reinvent themselves to be relevant for the 21st century in the new digital age. We need to ensure that our museums are more accessible so that our citizens can own them like their own parks and playgrounds.”
Later, addressing the media, Reddy highlighted the efforts being made to bring back the county’s stolen heritage from abroad. He stated, “95% of the heritage that was stolen or taken away has been returned during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Out of the 212 antiques that have been returned since 1976, 199 were returned after 2014. Among these, 157 antiques have been returned from the USA recently.”
Reddy added “This once again shows the Government’s commitment to Vikas and Virasat.” He also spoke about the various initiatives in the state of Telangana including a proposal for a Science City at Hyderabad, the support for 10 Museums in the state including the Salar Jung museum and the Tribal Museum for which allotment of land is awaited from the state government of Telangana. Similarly, the Union Minister also highlighted that 6 museums are being supported in Andhra Pradesh including a Tribal Museum at Lambasingi.
Alberto Gariandini, President, International council of museums, in his inaugural address said “The museums of future are already being built and museum professionals are creating new connections with communities and experimenting with innovative forms of cultural engagement.”
Webber Nodoro, Director General, ICCROM, in his address, said that India is in position to develop inspiring Museums. This initiative will go a long way not only for India but for the rest of the world. He also added that Museums are not only buildings with art collections, they are rich repository of culture heritage and experiences.
Lily Pandeya, JS, Ministry of culture, said that Museums familiarise the visitors with country’s history which is essential in understanding its present day cultural, socio-economic, political structures. She added that museums convey degree of appetite society has for cultural pursuits and patronage. She further added that the two-day global summit is a unique chance of dwelling into unique priorities for Indian museums.