International Museum Day celebrated at JU

The Centre for Studies in Museology and the Sheikh Noor Ud-Din Noorani Museum of Heritage, University of Jammu, collaborated with the Manuscript Conservation Centre and Shashvat Art Gallery and Museum, Jammu, to commemorate International Museum Day 2024. 

The focus of this observance was on the theme "Conservation of Manuscripts." The event featured exhibition and one-day workshop led by expert conservators from the Manuscript Conservation Centre, operating under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. 

Chief Guest, Prof. Anju Bhasin, Dean of Academic Affairs  inaugurated the manuscripts exhibition. 

Ms. Shruti Avasthi, Director of the Regional Centre IGNCA, and Dr. Suresh Abrol, Coordinator of the Manuscript Conservation Centre under IGNCA Regional Centre, Ministry of Culture, were also present. 

Prof. Anju Bhasin, in her address, emphasized the significance of manuscript conservation, drawing from her extensive experiences across various regions of India, and underscored the invaluable contribution of the Asiatic Society of Kolkata in preserving rare manuscripts. She also advocated for the introduction of a manuscript conservation course.

Ms. Shruti Avasthi and Dr. Suresh Abrol emphasized the significance of manuscript conservation. 

Earlier, Prof. Poonam Chaudhary provided insights into the Centre's initiatives and rationale behind selecting the workshop theme, aligning it with the International Council of Museums' (ICOM) overarching theme for International Museum Day 2024, "Museums for Education and Research." 

The resource persons, including Coordinator Dr. Suresh Abrol, Senior Conservator Mr. Arvind, Junior Conservator Sri Kewal Krishan Kotwal, and Junior Conservator Mr. Kailash Kumar, conducted training sessions on the fundamentals of manuscript conservation. Participants, comprising students, scholars, and faculty members from colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, engaged as trainees in the program. 

Members from civil society attended the function, including Mr. Rakesh Sharma and Mr. Amarjeet Singh from the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, Jammu, as well as Mr. Suresh Rao and Manu Malhotra from the University of Jammu. Also present were manuscripts conservationists Ms. Peeyoosh and Mr. Baldev.

The programme was designed to encompass a wide array of activities, ranging from exhibiting a diverse collection of manuscripts to providing hands-on experience and imparting comprehensive knowledge on the principles and techniques of manuscript conservation. Dr. Malay Dey, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Studies in Museology presented a formal vote of thanks.