GUWAHATI, May 22 � The Guwahati Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) celebrated the International Museum Day on its Sri Suryapahar Museum compound with various programmes on May 18. Over 400 students from the Mornoi Sainik School in Goalpara district, Goalpara English School, Mornoi Kasturba Gandhi Bal Vidyalaya and Mornoi Shishu Niketan School took part in drawing, essay and dance competitions held among school students on the occasion.
A heritage walk, involving the students, was also organised on the occasion. A public meeting on �Museum Collection Makes Connection,� which was this year�s theme for the International Museum Day, was also held.
Goalpara Deputy Commissioner Preetom Saikia attended the function as the chief guest, while principal of Goalpara College Dr AK Ahmed took part in it as the guest of honour. The superintending archaeologist of the ASI, Guwahati Circle, Dr MK Chauley, the headmaster of the Sainik School, Lt Col NK Lenka, and Bimal Sinha, ASAM of Sri Suryapahar Archaeological Museum were also present in the function.
In his address, Dr Chauley spoke on the importance of Suryapahar in the history and archaeology of the Northeast in general and Assam in particular, besides explaining the importance of the International Museum Day. He informed the gathering that the ASI Directorate has approved of the expansion proposal of the Suryapahar Museum to accommodate more exhibits, an activity room and other amenities for visitors. He requested the Goalpara Deputy Commissioner to get the ASI-notified land at Suryapahar demarcated expeditiously to enable the ASI undertake developmental activities.
Speaking on the occasion, DC Preetom Saikia laid emphasis on preserving the cultural heritage for posterity. He assured that the Goalpara district administration would take up steps to demarcate the ASI land at the site in the next couple of weeks and reiterated full cooperation to the ASI in developing the site.
Saikia also inaugurated the photo exhibition at the site which was titled �Archaeological Heritage of the Northeast � Past and Present�. The function was also addressed by Dr AK Ahmed. The chief guest and the guest of honour distributed prizes among the winners of the competitions.
