The Hindu : Wanted: a sustainable movement to protect museums in J&K

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 03, 2003

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Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Wanted: a sustainable movement to protect museums in J&K

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU FEB. 2. A discussion organised by the Amar Mahal Museum and Library (AMML) here on the role of museums in education called for a campaign to force the Government to come out with a clear policy to protect institutions responsible for preserving the cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.

Speakers took note of the indifferent attitude of successive governments towards the protection and preservation of the rich cultural and historical heritage the State has inherited.

The absence of the State Education Minister, Harsh Dev Singh, who was to have been the "guest of honour" and the refusal of the Commissioner/Secretary to Government in-charge, Archives, Sonali Kumar, because it was a Saturday, were seen as a glaring examples of the State's apathy towards this important aspect of life.

Two students from the Army School, Kaluchak, read out brief papers highlighting the importance of museums.

Poet and writer, Agnishekhar, read his works narrating the sorry state of affairs the museums are in.

The AMML curator, Aparna Tandon, provided useful interludes, dwelling upon her rich experience in the U.S. and European countries during research. She called for a sustainable non-governmental movement to protect the cultural heritage of the State.

The CEO of Hari Niwas Hotel, David Hussain, blamed the "unhealthy TV culture" for robbing the moments that could have been utilised to go to the museums.

The regional director of IGNOU, Srinivas, focussed on the educational value of the museums, and said "museums needed to be a part of the curriculum".

A cartoon presentation by Manoj Chopra highlighted the indifferent attitude of the people at large towards museums.

The participants agreed to constitute a pressure group to take the movement forward.

Criticising the Government for its failure to have a cultural policy, the speakers demanded the reorganisation and overhauling of the Departments of Archives, Museums and Libraries.

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