State museum in 'dark age' impairing research works
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21 2012: Chronic problem of erratic power supply is reportedly hampering research works of school and university students at the Manipur State Museum, located close to the historic Mapal Kangjeibung.

Speaking to The sangai Express, the Museum's Assistant Curator T Saya Devi informed that many students come to the Museum in connection with project or research works.

As the power transformer installed near the main gate of the Museum shares power supply with the densely populated commercial cum residential pockets of Paona bazar area frequent breakdown of the transformer due to overload had been a regular feature for the last many years, she noted and suggested that a transformer exclusively for the museum need to be installed to mitigate the problem.

Informing that the State Museum was officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister (late) Indira Gandhi on September 23, 1969, the Assistant Curator said since then the Museum had been functioning under the State's Art and Culture Department.

A statue of a woman grinding grain (left) and the frontal view of the State Museum building

Recounting that despite encouraging number of visitors on a daily basis most of them have to return back a dejected lot after scouring the exterior for it is not feasible to examine objects stored inside the facility due to frequent power outages, Saya said she regrets the most on seeing students of both school and university level unable to sustain their research/project works.

In case of visits by VIPs or people in large number on a particular day temporary lighting arrangement is made for some section of the Museum by starting the potable generator, she also informed that the Museum have separate sections on Natural history, Art Gallery, Jalan Gallery, children's section, Key Gallery and Open Air section.

Even though an Archaeological Gallery was opened some years back the same section has been shut down for renovation and development work concerning construction of a cave, the Museum official conveyed that in connection with the International Museum Day on May 18 a special programme for students with visual and hearing impairment would be organised by picking them up from their respective homes/institutions.

Lamenting that unlike in other parts of the world there is no facility for entertaining differently abled students have regular visits and learning by feeling the historically and culturally significant objects stored at the Museum, she also opined that special arrangement for periodical mobile exhibition of moveable Museum items would be helpful to such category of students gain knowledge.

With may and June months said to be busiest period of the year for the Museum, she said Rs 1 fee is levied from a child visitor while the amount of Rs 3 for an adult.

The museum remains open from 10 am till 4.30 pm during summer months while in winter the closing time is half an hour earlier.