Post NewsNetwork
Baripada, May 22: The oldest museum here in tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district remains neglected and closed most of the time due to lack of staff.
The administration has not paid any attention to the development of the museum built by King Sriram Chandra Bhanjdeo in 1903 in the heart of Baripada town.
Tourists from various parts of the state and even outside sometimes visit the museum.
But the museum does not have any employee since 2012. Instead, the district culture department has given the charge of running the museum to a few staff of the library, source said.
“The museum remains closed most of the time. How would people and tourists know about our culture, heritage, traditions and customs if condition of the museum remains same,” asked local lawyer Bibhu Prasad Das.
Moreover, a toilet in front of the museum creates a nauseating atmosphere, locals said.
Initially, the museum functioned from Jubilee Library. After the department of culture took over its charge, the museum was shifted to district culture office.
Bhanjdeo was keen to showcase rich culture, heritage and colourful tribal traditions of the district to the world. However, even as over 111 years have passed since its establishment, the government has not done anything for the development of the museum. It remains almost the same as it was years ago.
This year, the department did not even observe Museum Day. “If the department does not issue any letter, then how we can observe it,” district culture officer said.
