Jorhat, May 18: Pottery and bangles belonging to Indus Valley civilisation, a wood fossil, Brahmi letters on a stone block, gamosas of the ethnic communities of Assam, baskets and other artefacts of reed — are some of the articles on display at Jorhat Jatiya Vidyalay in Garmur here to observe World Museum Day.

Santana Sarma, principal of the school, said the exhibition was a run-up to a grander event next year when the national museum movement completes 100 years.

“The Indian Museum in Calcutta, the first museum in the country, was set up in 1914. We plan to inaugurate a central school museum here in the centenary year of the museum movement 2014,” she said.

Sarma said her school encouraged holistic development of the students, most of who belong to the lower income bracket.

“We observe days like Shilpi Divas, Library Day, Science Day and Bir Silarai Divas, with activities in consonance with such days. Very few people know about World Museum Day. Our school is possibly the only one in Assam to observe the event,” she said.

Some of the pottery was sourced from Dholavira and Lothal (sites in Gujarat associated with the Indus Valley civilisation), Rumtek monastery in Sikkim to the ruins of Deopahar, Numaligarh and Kachamari.

Sarma said students could get an idea about the rich history of the country and improve their knowledge by going through such artefacts.

“Although there are a number of historical items, we have also put on display many things belonging to the present time, since they tell the story of a particular community or what they use. This helps them to expand their knowledge and to understand their lessons better,” she said.

Gautam Bordoloi, Jorhat museum officer who addressed a meeting, said the International Council of Museums was formed in 1946.

“The council declared in 1977 that May 18 should be observed every year as World Museum Day. Museums across the world provide special offers like free entry and other incentives to visitors on the day to create interest in ancient memorabilia,” he said.

Bordoloi also gave a brief description of museumology as a subject of study and careers emerging in this field.

Professors Jogananda Bora, Devabrata Sharma, Kamal Bori and other office-bearers of the Jatiya Vidyalaya Committee also attended the meeting.