February 3, 2014
WB Govt to build 166 rural museums across the state
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee Sunday announced that the state government will set up 166 rural museums across the state. She was addressing at the inaugural ceremony of the bicentenary celebrations of Indian Museum, attended by the Prime Minister of India, the Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting and the West Bengal Governor. “The process of identification of land is going on and soon the project will be implemented,” she said.
Referring to the grand collection of the Indian Museum, the Chief Minister said the artifacts have a great historical value not only for the country but also for the world. She announced that the state will soon take up restoration and renovation of district-level and rural museums and some archaeological sites.
“Whenever I went to Delhi to meet Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, he used to say we have to do something for the Indian Museum,” Ms. Banerjee said. She said the government had already started restoration work at Writers` Building, the former state secretariat, which is also a heritage property. “Sometimes I feel ashamed that we do not devote enough time to places which are our heritage and have archaeological value,” the Chief Minister said.
