________________
Vol. XXXV, 2012
Activities of B. J. Institute Museum
In 1965, B. J. Institute Museum took active part in organizing an exhibition of rare Mss, Coins, a document of Bhugola-purana, big photographs of Lothal and other historical sites of Gujarat at Gujarati Sahitya Parishad held at Surat.
97
In 1975, Museum received a gift of about 278 coins of various states from Muni Jinavijayaji. An year later, to fulfil the requirements under Art Treasure. Act of 1972 and the amendment of 7th June, 1975, a photo album of the illustrated Mss, sculptures and paintings was prepared for documentation Meanwhile, Sagara family donated stone sculptures and bronze images numbering 36 in all Kadamba School of Kathak dance at Ahmedabad also utilized one of our illustrated Ms for making different styles of dresses and ornaments for their dancers.
In 1980 when Gujarat Vidyapith Started its Museum, our museum Cooperated by lending some replicas of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, Lothal. In 1981, Institute deputed Dr. Vibhuti Bhatt for a short term training Course in Museology to National Museum, New Delhi. Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Educational adviser to the Central Government selected an illustrated Ms. of Gita-Govinda for her book on Krishna Charita. It was also selected for the international exhibition organizal by National Museum, New Delhi in 1980. In the same year when H. K. Arts College, Ahmedabad Celebrated the Silver Jubilee year, the Institute took an active part in organizing the exhibition 'Yuge Yuge Gujarat'. The Institute Museum published greeting cards from the illustrated Mss of Cita Govinda and Durga Saptashti.
In 1984, Gujarat University Started the practical examination for the post-graduate students in Indian Culture. Museum worked as a reference Museum for these students and fulfilled the main purpose of study. In 1985, Dr. Vibhuti Bhatt participated in All India Museum Conference and read a paper 'Development and importance of B. J. Institute Museum with special reference to Educational activities.
In 1992, the Institute celebrated its Golden Jubilee year. On this occasion we arranged an exhibition in the Art Galary. A great academician Shri Manubhai Pancholi 'Darshak' inaugurated the exhibition. More than five hundred visitors and students enjoyed the exhibition.
Now a days our Museum is developed into a research and educational museum. It possesses about 11,000 Sanskrit, Prakrit and Gujarati Mss, out of which about 50 rare illustrated Mss contain about 1,000 illustrations regarding
