Union Minister of State for Science and Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that 231 stolen antiquities have been brought back to India in the last 9 years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over.
This is in contrast to the fact that till 2014, nearly 70 years since independence, only about 13 priceless antiquities of Indian origin were brought from abroad by previous governments, he said.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said a total of 231 antiquities were brought back after 2014, with the number now rising to 244 antiquities. The process of bringing in more such antiquities continues on an accelerated path, he added.
During his visit to the first ever 3-day Expo 2023 International Museum inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Pragati Maidan here, Dr Jitendra Singh, while touring the various pavilions at the Expo, told the media that several unique new initiatives have been taken in the last 9 years under PM Modi , one of which was the establishment of science museums across the country and the beginning was established by the establishment of science museums in aspirational districts.
Through the Department of Biotechnology in the Ministry of Science and Technology, the minister said, we have already set up museums in the aspirational district of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, which was inaugurated a few months ago.
Other places where such museums have already become functional or will soon become functional are Wayanad in Kerala, Siddharthnagar in Uttar Pradesh, Nuh in Haryana, Dholpur in Rajasthan, Raichur in Karnataka and Kalyani in West Bengal, he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said these museums, among others, display traditional knowledge as well as success stories of the past few years, such as the first ever success story of the Covid vaccine from India, a demonstration of the immune system related to disease prevention through vaccines. and even includes corners with science quizzes.
The Union Minister also toured the Techno Mela, Conservation Lab and exhibitions presented on the occasion. “Prime Minister Modi has given high priority to preserving our heritage and creating a new heritage,” he said during the visit.
The International Museum Exhibition is being organized as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 47th International Museum Day with the theme of the year ‘Museums, Sustainability and Wellbeing’. The International Museum Expo 2023 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the International Museum Day which is celebrated on 18 May 2023 every year.
During the visit of Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Museum Expo is designed to initiate a holistic conversation about museums so that they can evolve as cultural hubs that play a key role in India’s cultural diplomacy, in a year when India is hosting the G-20. Presidency.
Dr. Jitendra Singh appreciated the efforts of various stakeholders, including government functionaries, museum professionals, academicians and related service technology providers, in organizing a wonderful museum fair to spread awareness about the country’s heritage.
The Minister visited the star objects exhibition comprising 75 curated objects from over 25 museums and institutions across India curated by Ms. Gauri Krishnan Parimoo, Chief Curator. He also visited an exhibition of 500 book covers related to museums, museology and conservation and Ragamala paintings.
The Techno Mela, which the minister visited, includes more than 55 stalls showcasing technologies used in museums and museum projects from across the country, including a showcase of upcoming projects such as Lothal Maritime Heritage Complex, Indian Navy Museum, Police Memorial Museum.
