AA Khan (left) and Vandana Dadel at State Museum in Ranchi on Wednesday. Picture by Prashant Mitra

As many as 110 research scholars, museologists and archaeologists from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad, Delhi, Calcutta, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu have flocked to the capital for a three-day symposium, which kicked off at state museum, Hotwar, on Wednesday.

The symposium on Community Heritage and Museums is being organised by the state department of art, culture, sports and youth affairs. Secretary of the department Vandana Dadel and former vice chancellor of Ranchi University (RU) A. A. Khan were present at the inaugural function as chief guest and guest of honour, respectively.

In her address to the august gathering, Dadel spoke of the rich cultural heritage of Jharkhand. “Our state is a storehouse of tribal culture. It’s also a multilingual state. To know Jharkhand better, we must apprise ourselves with its heritage, language and culture.”

Dadel added that Jharkhand was rich in flora and fauna and provided abundant opportunities for research.

Former RU vice chancellor Khan said: “Nature loves disorders and we try to convert them into order. It is a tedious task. The more we explore, the more ignorant we feel. Community and heritage are interlinked, so the former has a vital role to play in conserving monuments.”

President of Museum Association of India P.K. Sharma threw light on the activities of the outfit.

Scholars attending the symposium presented papers on diverse themes related to cultural heritage and ways to preserve it.

Most speakers expressed concern over the new generation’s detachment from their cultural heritage. They, however, added museums and community support could bridge the gap between youths and their traditions.

Museologist A.K. Chatterjee, archaeologist R.C. Agarwal and conservator S.P. Singh received Lifetime Award of Museum Association of India. The journal of Museum Association of India and souvenir of the state museum were also released on the occasion.

On Thursday, Bihar-based archaeologist Ehtesham Khan will take the stage to deliver Moti Lal Chandra Memorial Lecture on Indo-Islamic architecture.

Later, the scholars will visit Hundru falls and Sun Temple. On their return, they will witness a gala cultural programme.