Baripada: Artefacts and articles in a museum give ample insight into the culture, lifestyle, language and heritage of a race. But, the museum built by the erstwhile Mayurbhanj ruler, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo, in 1903 at Baripada has been lying neglected, due to alleged official apathy.
Same is the state of another museum set up by the Maharaja at Khiching. The deplorable condition of the museums has come to the fore when World Museum Day is being observed May 18.
The king had set up the Baripada museum in order to preserve and showcase the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the tribal-dominated region. The museum used to function from the Jubilee Library in the town. Subsequently, the state government took it over and made it functional on the premises of the district culture office.
Many years have passed and World Museum Day has been observed many times. Plans are drawn up for development of the museum, but they are not implemented. Locals alleged that nothing has changed over the years in the museum, which is now slipping into oblivion.
“If the government doesn’t pay attention to the oldest museum, it will fall into obscurity,” a local lamented. Official records revealed that the museum has failed to attract footfalls. Only 74 people have visited it in the last five months.
Another problem is staff crunch. The museum had two regular staff members but they retired in 2012. Since then, no fresh appointments have been made. For the last few years, the World Museum Day has not been observed here.
The district administration has given charge to some staff of the district library to open the museum for visitors.
Bikash Mohant, an intellectual and culture lover said, “Unfortunately, those who have been given charge to run the museum are doing nothing. Most people in the district are unaware of the museum. The next generation may not know about the culture and history of the region if the museum is not properly managed.”
The museum gives an insight into the culture, tradition and lifestyle of the people of the tribal-dominated region through its conserved and collected artefacts, sculptures and musical instruments, Mohant added.
It is alleged that despite regular reminders to the state government about the problems plaguing the museum, no step is being taken to improve its condition.
District culture officer Tanuja Sirka was not available for comment as she was on leave.
Similar is the condition of the museum at Khiching. It was established in 1922 by the then Maharaja. It has several rare antique items connected with the culture, tradition and civilization of Mayurbhanj.
The museum at Khiching was functioning under the Keonjhar administration as it was closer to that district. It was 125 km from Baripada.
Later, then Mayurbhanj Collector Rajesh Prabhakar Patil brought the museum under the administration of Mayurbhanj. But, both these museums are now wallowing in neglect.
