The J&K Department of Archives, Archaeology & Museums today celebrated the International Museum Day under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World” in conjunction with Mission Gyan Bharatam.
Specially curated exhibitions of artifacts and rare manuscript collections were organized at the Dogra Art Museum, Jammu and the SPS Museum, Lalmandi, Srinagar, with free entry for all the visitors.
At the Dogra Art Museum Jammu, the exhibition was inaugurated by Yudhvir Sethi, MLA, Jammu East.
At the SPS Museum, Srinagar, the event was inaugurated by Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture in presence of Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, Director, Archives, Archaeology & Museums and Parvez Ahmad, Special Secretary, Department of Culture.
The exhibitions featured unique manuscripts and artifacts, including the 5th-century Gilgit Manuscript on birch bark, Tafseer-i-Kabeer, Shah Nama-i-Firdousi, a bronze sculpture of Bodhisattva Padmapani, 3rd-century terracotta tiles, Shah Jahan’s gold-plated bow, the Royal Armoury, Basohli paintings, Sudhama paintings and gold coins from the Kushan period.
To make the event inclusive and accessible, refreshments and gifts were arranged for over 1,000 visitors across both the museums, including students, ex-servicemen, scholars, authors and tourists.
On the occasion, wheelchairs and helpers were also provided for the persons with disabilities.
The visitors expressed appreciation for the department’s initiative, calling it a first-of-its-kind, well-facilitated exhibition.