Workshop underway on preventive conservation of museum objects

GANGTOK, 22 Aug: A three-day workshop on preventive conservation of museum objects was inaugurated today at the State Archives office here at Zero point. 50 participants from the premier monasteries of Sikkim, private museums, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Raj Bhawan and private candidates are attending the workshop.
A press release informs that the workshop is being organized by the Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department in collaboration with National Research Laboratory for conservation of cultural property (NRLC) Lucknow. The basic objective behind this short duration workshop is to create awareness on preventive measures to be taken with regard to care of cultural materials.
While delivering the introductory note, the Director NRLC, BV Kharbade highlighted on the importance of preventive conservation of various objects. He also suggested to all the monks to register antique objects for their future safety and assured that his organization shall extend all possible cooperation for establishing a laboratory in the upcoming state museum of Sikkim.
The chief guest for the inaugural session was Chairman, Cultural Heritage & Communal Harmony Board, Sonam Wangchuk Bhutia while Chairman of Song Music & Film Board, Uttam Pradhan was the guest of honour. The chief guest while addressing the gathering spoke about the importance of preserving thankas, manuscripts, paintings and statues. He further requested all the participants especially the monks to learn the basic techniques of preventive conservation seriously which will be beneficial to them and their institution.
The other dignitaries who attended the programme were RT Lepcha [Special Secretary, CA & HD], Sonam Gyatso Dokhampa [Additional Director, Ecclesiastical Deptt.] and other senior officers of Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department.
After the inaugural session, the technical session started after a short break which was taken over by the experts from NRLC Director, BV Kharbade; Senior Conservation Assistant from Mysore, Prabaharan and; Technical Restorer from Lucknow, Pramod Kumar Pandey, the release adds.