Children take a close look at copper relics at the State Museum in Guwahati. Picture by Eastern Projections

Dec. 1: While history stands still, the methods of preserving and revisiting it are constantly being renovated.

As part of the recent renovation drive, the Indian museum, Calcutta, with initiative of the Union ministry of culture, is set to modernise the Assam State Museum and also add a Northeast corner to the Calcutta museum.

?The gallery will try to portray a pen picture of the entire country as well as the Northeast. It will be a difficult and painstaking task as we will try to collect all possible specimens,? said Sakti Kali Basu, director and secretary of the Indian Museum, Calcutta.

The Assam State Museum will have eight new galleries, along with the renovation of existing 14 galleries. ?We have come forward for a total revamp of the existing infrastructure to provide the museum with the best of modern facilities,? added Basu.

The annexe of the state museum will be constructed as soon as possible. ?We are planning to set up a committee to look after the entire modernisation process,? he said.

Experts of the Indian Museum will advise and supervise the project.

The state museum will undergo documentation, conservation and augmentation of the all the existing antiquities.

?It is one of the most well-equipped and properly managed museum in the entire Northeast, but we need to make it more people-friendly. This can be done by holding regular monthly exhibitions and by appointing well-trained guides to help visitors have a complete understanding of the displayed artefacts and antiques,? said Basu.

?Our first step will be to open the manuscripts gallery, depicting the history of Assam,? he said. For the entire process, the zoological, anthropological and botanical survey will provide the required aid.

The director stressed the need of reciprocal approach, so that the whole country can have a glimpse of each other?s history.

The Northeast corner, to be set up at the Indian Museum, will showcase the region?s unique culture.

?Many antique pieces in the Assam State Museum are languishing for lack of financial assistance. But the process will start with the development of the building as early as possible,? said Basu.

A comprehensive plan has been prepared by a team comprising the joint director of Assam State Museum which is waiting for the approval of the Union cultural ministry.

The entire modernisation process has a holistic approach and will look into the security aspect as well. The 11th Finance Commission has already sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for taking safety and security measures in the state museum as well as 12 district museums.

?Latest technology will be used in the security system. Simply deploying police and security personnel inside the museum premise will not be enough,? added an official of the Assam State Museum.

Close circuit televisions will be centrally installed to detect cases of theft and burglary. ?All the close circuit televisions would become operational by June,? added the official.