Workshop on preventive conservation of museum objects concludes

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: The valedictory function of the workshop on preventive conservation of museum objects was organized at Archives office, Zero point, Gangtok on Sunday. The Minister for Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department and Roads & Bridges Department, GM Gurung was the chief guest while the guest of honour was the Joint Secretary from Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi, Pramod Kumar Jain. Director, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Tashi Densapa, was the special guest.
As per a press release, before the start of the valedictory function the Sikkim Fire Service team gave a fire fighting demonstration vis-à-vis safety of museum objects wherein all the candidates participated. The team was led by Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Prakash Rai.
During the function, three participants; Pema Kesang Sherpa from NIT, Gajesh Pradhan from Ram Gauri Shangralaya, Rhenock and Rinzing Ongda Bhutia from Pemayangtse shared their experiences. They mentioned that such a programme should be conducted very often because they have realized that they were ignorant of so many things which are very important for conservation of museum objects.
Rinzing Ongda, one of the senior monks from Pemayangtse monastery, West Sikkim pointed out that such workshop should be conducted in different monasteries of Sikkim which would be more practical and meaningful.
The Director NRLC, BV Karbade briefed about the activities conducted by his team members in the three days. Expressing his satisfaction with all the participants for their good response, he requested individual participants to exchange their knowledge to atleast ten people per head so that awareness of preventive conservation reaches to every individual. He also suggested that they submit a proposal for the purchase of 'Jatan' software for the registration of museum objects and artifacts to the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, the release mentions.
While addressing the gathering, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Culture expressed his happiness to see that the participants are passionate about learning preventive conservation methods. He mentioned that learning and teaching is simple but applying the method in our day-to-day life is difficult. So he requested all the participants to start implementing the methods in their respective monasteries and museums.
The Joint Secretary also said that Sikkim has lot of potential to create museums within the four districts which would attract a lot of tourists and assured that the financial assistance for the establishment of these museums will be provided by the Ministry. He further promised to provide funds for the establishment of laboratory within the upcoming State Museum. He also assured to provide assistance for the preparation of DPR.
Congratulating all the participants for their successful participation in the workshop, the Minister GM Gurung said that the basic objective of organizing this workshop is to inculcate the idea of taking safety measures as well as preventive conservation of museum objects for the future. He also emphasized for the maintenance of proper register of artifacts in every monastery which will be registered by the Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department.
Expressing his gratitude to the Joint Secretary, MoC, Govt. of India for his assurance to provide grants for museums up gradation, he directed the Special Secretary and Joint Director Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department to pursue the matter immediately with the Ministry of Culture. He also directed the Department to put up a proposal for the establishment of museum at Nathula which will be one of the highest museums in India.  
The function ended with colorful folk dances of Sikkim performed by young artists. Other dignitaries present during the function were RT Lepcha [Special Secretary, Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department], Phurden Lepcha [Curator from State Central Library], staff from Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department and all the participants from different monasteries and private museums.