New Delhi :On the occasion of International Museum Day, Shri G Kishan Reddy the Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of the North Eastern Region today inaugurated exhibitions Hastantaran and Kshetrajna of the galleries the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi. On the ocassion Secretary, Ministry of Culture Shri Govind Mohan, DG NGMA Sh Gadanayak and Joint Secretary Lily Pandey were also present.
On the occasion the Union Minister during his address said, “As you are all aware, we are here today to celebrate International Museum Day, an initiative of the International Council of Museums to explore the potential of museums to bring about positive change in their communities. This also comes at a time when the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – it has been 75 years since India became an independent country, forging its own identity in a modern world. We commemorate these 75 years of progress with a series of events and activities. The same spirit underlies our celebrations today as we rediscover our past with the power of museums”.
The Ministry of Culture also unveiled two initiatives today – the announcement of the Mu(See)um hackathon, and the launch of the ‘Museums of India’ mobile app. While the first sets out to seek the brightest minds in the country to create unique solutions to museum-centric problem statements, the second aims to erase the physical & geographical boundaries of museums by granting access to 750 digitised objects from 8 national museums across the country. While inaugurating the exhibitions, the Minister esaid, “I am fortunate that today I have got the opportunity to inaugurate two major exhibitions namely Hastantaran and Kshetragya and also got a chance to launch ‘Museum of India’ mobile app. This app will enable all of us to see and listen to stories, paintings, photography and speeches from the museums across the country”.
The Minister further added, “It is also a matter of great pride to be speaking today at the National Gallery of Modern Art, India’s pioneering art institution. It was founded in 1954, which was at that time, the only museum of its kind, dedicated to the art of modern India. NGMA Art Gallery is dedicated to 11 iconic nationalist artists including Sri Nandalal Bose. Nandalal Bose ji’s mother Kshetramani Devi used to make clay toys,and it was from her that Nandlal Bose got his inspiration”.
The Government us not only setting up new museums but also upgrading the existing ones and making them more interesting and attractive to visitors with use of technology. He appealed to everybody to visit the newly built state of the art Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya recently inaugurated by the Prime Minister. An MoU has been signed with CSIR for upgrading the museums, he said.
This event was a part of the week-long celebrations organised on the occasion of International Museum Day that is being organised by the Ministry of Culture from 16th May-20th May 2022 across the country at seven different places. These are:
National Museum, New Delhi
National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi and Bengaluru
Allahabad Museum, Prayagraj
Indian Museum, Kolkata
Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata
Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad
National Council of Science Museums (in 24 locations across India)
The week is seeing various events that includes a webinar, special exhibitions, projection mapping shows, extended museum hours, free admission during the week, music and dance performances including flash mob and targeted outreach efforts for children at the museums.
Earlier in the day, the Minister had penned an article in a leading newspaper daily that highlighted the significance of the museums and the concerted efforts being made in reimagining the museums across the country. The Minister tweeted it through his social media platform.
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