The 53rd Foundation Day celebration of Manipur State Museum cum Prize Distribution Ceremony of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Weekly Quiz Competition was held on Friday at the premise of Manipur State Museum, Imphal. The programme was organised by Regional News Unit All India Radio Imphal and Department of Art and Culture.
Speaking at the gathering as a chief guest, Education Minister Th Basanta Kumar Singh expressed that he felt very happy to attend the function because he has been longing to visit the Manipur State Museum and witness the artefacts and other collection for quite a long time.
“Museum reflect art, culture, heritage and everything that is important.” We can get an understanding of the culture of a country when we visit their respective museums, he added. Narrating his visits to foreign countries, Minister Th Basanta stated that when he visited any historic big city, he can see long lines of queue in its museum. “We can get a glance of the famous paintings of Raphael and Picasso in England’s museum. The significance of a museum is very big”, he emphasised.
Minister Th Basanta Kumar also elaborated that history, culture, language all are important. It is the culture and sports of Manipur that put it apart from the rest of the world. There is a huge talent in the youth of our state out of the small population that engage in culture and sporting activities compared with the rest of the world. We need to maintain and keep up the museum as it is the most important cultural institution of our state, he added.
Minister Th Basanta also stressed that as education minister of the state, he even feels the need to issue a compulsory order for the students to visit the museum so that they can appreciate the culture and heritage of Manipur and go beyond their textbooks.
Highlighting the importance of museums in a country, he also said that education is not just reading, writing and being a topper but also inculcating wisdom, culture, good behaviours and trying to be a good human being. The most important part of education is learning soft skills, how to respect elders and appreciating our culture.
Minister Basanta also suggested the museum authorities to send a written application to the government so that the issues regarding shortage of staff and security be taken care of. At present, the big museum with nine display halls is running with only two staff and no security to guard it.
He also appreciated the museum authorities and staff for maintaining the museum very well in spite of staff shortage and other issues. “There are priceless gold and other old historic artefacts in our state museum. Art and culture are very close to my heart”, he also said.
As a part of the programme, Minister Th. Basanta Kumar inaugurated the Temporary Exhibition of Gold and Rare Masterpieces of Manipur State Museum and also the 8th Edition Newsletter of Manipur State Museum.
The 53rd Foundation Day celebration of Manipur State Museum cum Prize distribution ceremony of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Weekly Quiz Competition programme was also attended by K Sobita Devi retired director (Arts & Culture) & former chairperson, Manipur State Commission for Women S Kebi Devi MLA, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa A/C, and Gin Gangte Assistant Director (News), All India Radio, Imphal as president, guest of honour and special guest respectively among others.
