Relics on display

Jamshedpur, Jan. 29: The state archaeological department has decided to rope in children to create awareness on ancient artefacts that lie scattered in the region.

Around 5,000 big and small archaeological monuments are located across the state and the department, which comes under the sports and culture ministry, has decided to launch an awareness programme on February 14 to be held in all the 22 districts.

According to archaeological department sources, though there is enough scope for archaeological exploration and identification and highlighting of these places, the authorities concerned should initiate measures to preserve them.

With the government’s ambitious plans to convert some historic places into tourist spots, the department has targeted children to spread the message of preservation.

Deputy director of archaeological department Ajit Kumar Prasad said: “Many of these historic relics are found in villages and children usually stumble upon them while moving around. They also play at these sites, which causes damage. So they need to be educated.” Prasad added that every district has a certain level of archaeological monuments but places where there are large numbers of monuments or artefacts should get priority.

He said prior to organising awareness programmes, the department would select a school where students from nearby areas could be made aware of how to preserve such monuments. The deputy director said, “It is the children who have the tendency to remove bricks from a dilapidated house, without giving much thought. The mansion or palace that elders consider a monument is just like another place for playing for children. Instead, better things should be inculcated in their tender minds.”

Prasad said the existing monuments of the state have been divided into four categories. While monuments coming under category A would be looked after the state government, the officials of district, block and panchayat level would take care of the rest of the monuments.

The archaeologist said as Patamda block has the maximum number of monuments and artefacts, awareness programmes would also be organised in a school the area. He added that they have also started a three-day awareness programme in Dumka from today after the launch in Ranchi on January 23.