Pathik 2002 Vol 42 Ank 01 02 03

SR No.: 535493
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhartiben Shelat, Subhash Bramhabhatt
Publisher: Mansingji Barad Smarak Trust
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 202
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Pathik, & India
File Size: 12 MB

Page 20

are studied in details. Both Their material culture and intangible heritage ought to be shown for a complctc understanding of their identities. Morcover, the changes which are taking place in them ought to be communicated with examples based on ficid work. Involvement of the representatives of the concerned communities in the collection of data and interpretation will ensure the appropriate, authentic presentation of the communities in Gujarat museums. The communities will feel that museums do not consider them as outsiders. The ideal is to make new muscums pcoples' institutions which they themsclvcs can use to know their own identities. The next step in this process is to link such identities to the developmental projects of the concerned communities. The old "Ivory Tower" mentality or attitude of the past museums is to involve the museums in the lives of communities and to involve the respected communities in making museums instruments for their self knowledge.
One of the areas of muscum work in Gujarat is the inter museum coopcration. This will be a theme for a workshop being planned by the Museums Association of Gujarat. The saying "divided we fall, united we stand," is truc in relation to the fate of muscums in Gujarat. Muscums arc low-priority arcas for the funding agencies. The rise in the complexity of problems of conservation and documentation, identification, data-retricval, demands that all available cxpertise on muscum staff should be put to optimum use. Individual muscums cannot afford to appoint too many specialists because neither they are available in so many numbers nor they have enough work in all kinds of museums. Hence sharing the available expertise is the better option. A news item has appeared in the Times of India Ahmedabad cdition, of 25th Dec. 2001. It states that in Rajkot a historic building in the city which has links with the former years of the father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and which is lying in a state of utter neglect may get salvation. It is decided to convert the old building into a museum. Rs.3 crore will be available from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund for the renovation and conversion of the building into a national museum. Rajkot has good museums in the city like thc Watson Museum. The full story of the muscum is published in the Souvenir-cum-Guide Book. It has many scctions and the staff has good experience of organizing new galleries and cducational activities. It is in the fitness of things to suggest that more than hundred year old Watson Muscum should be involved in the work of the new museum in the conversion of the Mohandas Gandhi Vidyalaya building into a national museum in Rajkot.
ulas. Elvirais - 24521.-.-12l., 2009.12