Homepage of the museum website

Shillong, March 6: The Don Bosco Museum here yesterday launched a website to connect with the youngsters and educate them about the cultural heritage of the Northeast.

The website, dbcickids.com, was launched by urban affairs minister Founder Strong Cajee on the occasion of the first anniversary of the museum, located in Mawlai locality.

The museum was officially inaugurated by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during her visit to the city last year.

The website is user-friendly and has been designed to suit the purpose. Different sections have been provided, like stories, gallery and games, for children to enjoy while they learn about their culture.

In the “who we are” section, children are explained that among the many things in life, there is something very special — “And that special thing is called culture,” the website says.

“The Don Bosco Museum and the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture will help you learn many things about the various cultural groups in the states of the Northeast. The more you learn, the more you will be surprised to know that the Northeast is indeed the most beautiful corner of India,” the website adds.

The website has also announced plans to have two more galleries at the museum — The Rainbow People’s gallery and the Natural Resources gallery. The Rainbow People’s gallery will have hundreds of oil paintings displaying the culture of the Northeast. “We shall take care to display those cultures which are being forgotten or about which very little has been written or displayed,” the website says.

In the Natural Resources gallery, people will be able to gain knowledge about things present in the Northeast in areas of archaeology, geology, atomic energy and others.

Besides these, seminars, study sessions, drawing, painting and modelling competitions will be organised for the youngsters. The website also aims to promote a culture of peace, harmony and development among the youth.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, who was the chief guest at the programme, pledged government assistance towards the development of the museum. He also said the time had come for the government to play the role of a facilitator and allow people with expertise to come up with projects which would benefit the state. Sangma also exhorted the management of the museum to showcase the evolution of human beings. “From the days when humans used simple loin cloths to the present day suit-and-tie culture, the museum would do well to showcase the evolution of human beings,” he said.

The construction of the museum, which is part of the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture, was started way back in 1994. It is a world class seven-storey structure, showcasing the indigenous culture of the northeastern states and has become a centre of study and research.