Tedir: North East Galleries to showcase synthetic overview

*RD on expansion move: Pertin

ITANAGAR, Dec 16: The North East Galleries, first-of-its-kind in entire NE region, with ethnographic collections of Arunachal Pradesh exhibited in JN State Museum would present a synthetic overview of the regional cultural variation and cultural complexity of the NE region.

This was stated by state Cultural Affairs & Education Minister Taba Tedir after inaugurating it newly built annexure building of the Museum here on Monday, adding it would foster mutual understanding among different segments of population and promote inter-state cultural exchange in the NE as it depicts vibrant culture, traditions and artifacts of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim.

Reiterating that the GoAP led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu is committed to work for state’s all round development, including promotion of culture and traditions, he assured fund provisions to research directorate for expansion of museum activities.

The Gallery is a manifestation of ambitions to expand the museum activities to keep pace with time beyond mere cataloguing of dying customs and traditions, research director (RD) Batem Pertin said.

“NE boasts of wide ranges of diverse art, language, cultural characteristics and ecological situation with each tribe taking pride in its own identity and culture. The cultural exhibits of other NE parts would enhance understanding level and bonhomie among the NE people”, he added.

Recalling contributions of anthropologist & ethnologist late Dr Verrier Elwin who was instrumental in setting up of this good museum, former research commissioner of Y D Thongchi suggested the department to set-up museums in newly created districts.

Highlighting  genesis of museum development in the state, research deputy director (museum & archives) Dr S K Ghosh earlier apprised Tedir about various problems faced by the RD, including manpower shortage, lack of maintenance making infrastructure in districts dilapidated.  A souvenir of RD was released to mark the occasion.

The three-floor new annexure comprises administrative block (ground floor), Galleries and other museum activities (1st and 2nd floors). Three galleries – Assam, Mizoram and Tripura are on 1st floor and Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland and Meghalaya on 2nd floor.

Responding to questions from media persons, Tedir said that he has directed the department to open the museum on Sunday as many employees, scholars and students can visit. He also assured to solve the manpower crisis problem of thee museum and district museums.

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