231 stolen antiquities brought back to India in last 9 years: Jitendra Singh

He said, “This is in contrast to the fact that till 2014, in about 70 years since independence, about 13 priceless heritage sites of Indian origin were brought back from abroad by previous governments.”

The minister said that a total of 231 were brought back after 2014, which has now reached 244 antiquities. He said that the process of bringing more such antiquities is going on fast.

During his tour of the first three-day International Museum Expo 2023 inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, Jitendra Singh while visiting various pavilions at the expo told media persons that in the last 9 years under the leadership of PM Modi Several unique new initiatives were taken, one of which was the setting up of science museums across the country and beginning with the setting up of science museums in aspirational districts.

Through the Department of Biotechnology in the Ministry of Science and Technology, the minister said, we have already set up the museum in the aspirational district of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, which was inaugurated a few months ago.

Other places where such museums are already functional or are going to be functional soon are Wayanad in Kerala, Siddharthanagar in Uttar Pradesh, Nuh in Haryana, Dholpur in Rajasthan, Raichur in Karnataka and Kalyani in West Bengal , They said.

Jitendra Singh said that these museums, inter alia, display traditional knowledge as well as success stories of the past few years such as the success story of the first ever Covid vaccine from India, prevention of diseases through vaccines Immune system related demonstrations and even a science quiz corner are included.

He also visited the Techno Mela, Conservation Laboratory and the exhibitions displayed on the occasion. “Prime Minister Modi has given high priority to preserving our heritage and creating a new heritage,” Singh said.

The International Museum Expo is being organized as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 47th International Museum Day with the theme ‘Museums, Sustainability and Wellbeing’. The International Museum Expo 2023 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 18 May 2023, the International Museum Day celebrated annually.

During the visit, Jitendra Singh said that the Museums Expo is designed to initiate a holistic conversation on museums to develop them as cultural centers that play an important role in India’s cultural diplomacy, in a year when India presides over the G-20.

The Minister appreciated the efforts of various stakeholders including government officials, museum professionals, academicians and allied service-technology providers for organizing a wonderful museum exhibition to spread awareness about the country’s heritage.