Idrees Bukhtiyar
Srinagar, May 18: The Department of Archives, Archaeology & Museums (DAAM), Jammu and Kashmir on Monday celebrated International Museum Day across the Union Territory with specially curated exhibitions of rare artefacts and manuscripts at the Dogra Art Museum in Jammu and SPS Museum in Srinagar.
The celebrations were organised under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World” in convergence with Mission Gyan Bharatam, aiming to promote cultural awareness, heritage preservation and public engagement with history. Entry to both museums was kept free for visitors.
At the Dogra Art Museum in Jammu, the exhibition was inaugurated by Yudhvir Sethi, while at SPS Museum Srinagar, the exhibition was inaugurated by Brij Mohan Sharma in the presence of Kuldeep Krishan Sidha (JKAS), Director, Archives, Archaeology & Museums, J&K and Parvez Ahmad (JKAS), Special Secretary to the Government, Department of Culture, J&K.
The exhibitions showcased a wide collection of rare and historically significant artefacts, including the 5th Century Gilgit Manuscript written on birch bark, Tafseer-i-Qabeer, Shah Nama-i-Firdousi, bronze sculpture of Bodhisattva Padmapani, third-century terracotta tiles, Shah Jahan’s gold-plated bow, royal armoury collections, Basohli paintings, Sudhama paintings and gold coins from the Kushan period.
Special arrangements, including refreshments and gifts, were made for visitors. More than 1,000 students, besides ex-servicemen, scholars, authors and tourists, visited the museums during the celebrations. To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, wheelchairs and helpers were also provided for specially-abled visitors.
Visitors appreciated the department for organising what many described as a first-of-its-kind curated exhibition with extensive public facilitation. Officials said the initiative was aimed at strengthening museums as neutral public spaces where culture, history and shared heritage can be collectively celebrated.
Speaking to the media at SPS Museum Srinagar, Brij Mohan Sharma said museums play a vital role in connecting people with their roots and civilisational history.
“As nearly 170 countries across the world celebrate International Museum Day through around 40,000 museums, there are several artefacts preserved here that are unique and not available anywhere else. Museums are centres of learning that connect people with history, philosophy and culture. This museum is a valuable asset and people should come and experience it,” he said.