Baripada: Even as World Museum Day was observed across the globe Friday, no care has been taken for the oldest museum of Mayurbhanj here. The museum reportedly is in a bad due to lack of proper maintenance.
Culture lovers and enthusiasts have expressed displeasure over the deplorable condition of the museum. They said a museum gives insight into civilization, culture, tradition, lifestyles of people and festivals through its conserved and collected artifacts, sculpture, idols, musical instruments and antique articles.
Maharaj Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo had set up the museum at Baripada in 1903 in order to preserve and showcase the rich cultural heritage and tradition of Mayurbhanj.
The museum had its humble beginning from Jubilee Library in the Baripada town. Then the government took over the institution and made it functional on the premises of the district culture office.
Many years have passed. The administration has observed Museum Days every year with some promises of development, but they are not executed in reality. As a result, the museum is far from achieving its purpose. The museum has allegedly been a victim of official apathy and negligence.
Culture lovers observed that if attention is not paid to the development of the museum, it will gradually fall into ruins.
ADM Gangadhar Nayak visited the museum Thursday and said that the district administration will send a proposal to the state government for its renovation and maintenance.
Since 2012, no staff has been posted there to look after the museum. The district administration has assigned some staff of the library to look after it.
The condition of another museum set up in 1922 at Khiching is no different. The museum, 125 km from Baripada town, was earlier being managed by Keonjhar district administration. Due to efforts of then Collector Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, the museum was brought under the administration of Mayurbhanj.
