Plan to upgrade 5 museums: ASI D-G

DIRECTOR GENERAL of the Archeological Survey of India C Babu Raju on Friday said five museums, including the one at Sarnath, would be upgraded. Talking to reports, Raju said, ?The ASI has selected five museums out of 42 in the country for their upgrading.?

DIRECTOR GENERAL of the Archeological Survey of India C Babu Raju on Friday said five museums, including the one at Sarnath, would be upgraded.

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Talking to reports, Raju said, “The ASI has selected five museums out of 42 in the country for their upgrading.”

He said the upgrading work of museums would start from Sarnath. “Upgrading work of Sarnath museum includes lighting arrangements, better display of items, security and facilities for tourists,” he said. A sum of Rs 50 lakh would be to upgrade Sarnath Museum, he added. About encroachment near Sarnath museum, he said the district administration should ensure removal of encroachment for smooth passage to tourists.

The director general was here to participate in a seminar on ‘Sarnath Archaeology, History and Literature.’ The seminar was organised under the joint auspices of Mahabodhi Society of India and the ASI. Earlier, speaking as chief guest in the seminar, Raju highlighted the importance of Buddhism. He lauded the efforts of the Mahabodhi Society of India for propagating the teachings of Buddha.

Presiding over the seminar, Prof Navang Samten, director of Central Tibetan Institute of Higher studies, said there was a need to spread the teachings of Gautam Buddha .

He advised the archaeology department to continue the excavation process as it made the common people apprised about the old civilisation and culture. He laid stress on the need to set up of an International Library in Sarnath area.Assistant secretary of the Mahabodhi Society of India K Sumeth Thero, principal Beni Madhav, former director general of ASI Prof MC Joshi and director (publication) of ASI VR Mani also spoke on the occasion.