Promote tourism for employment and welath generation: Kalam

Uparwara, Chhattisgarh, Nov 7: President A P J Abdul Kalam today stressed on the need for said for sustained efforts to develop tourism industry into a business proposition of creating employment opportunities and national-wealth generation.

Inaugurating the 'Purkhauti Muktangan'-- an open museum being developed in this village, about 18 km from the state capital, Dr Kalam emphasised on the need for joint collaboration between the museum and the tribal studies department of all the Chhattisgarh Universities, industry as well as with international marketing agencies.

He said the museum must carry out research in specific areas and promote new products based on cultural heritage and traditional value systems.

''This effort in turn will promote cost-effective production of these items,'' he added.

''Museums should provide life to the old culture. But it should also transform itself from the role of custodianship to entrepreneurship,'' the first citizen said, adding that this in turn would make the museum self-sustained as well as help to propagate our cultural values to the world.

Stating that he was happy to see an open museum being developed to present the close linkage between cultural and development strategies and functions, life and the arts of the communities, Dr Kalam expressed confidence that it would enable demonstration of the contribution of communities in proper perspective of bio-cultural, bio-friendly history and natural wealth of the region.

''Museums are mirrors that show our proud heritage,'' Dr Kalam said, adding that it reminded us of what was erased from our life by newer technologies, newer languages and newer way of life. Pointing out that 90 per cent of items used in our daily life were invented only during the past 100 years, he said items invented several centuries ago had become exhibits in the museum today.

''The intricate artwork, the painting, bronze statues, sculptures and many other expressions of the great talent of the man of yesteryears, the talents that were erased by the idustrialisation are the ones that adorn the museum of today,'' he noted.

Referring to transformation, the President said in the past, mud pots were used for cooking, drinking, storage etc but these days it had become an exhibit component of museums. With the advent of modern cooking vessels and utensils and methods, these items have lost its significance.

Dr Kalam said 'Purkhauti Muktangan' could propagate the thoughts of using the ancient utility value items like pots and revive the work for artisans.

He said while displaying these kinds of utility items of ancient days, benefits and values inherent in them, from viewpoint of cost effectiveness, health considerations and pollution free aspect, must be highlighted.

Throwing light on the beauty and significance of tribal sculptures, he said it can be used by the 'Purkhauti Muktangan' authorities by specially organising the training programmes for artisans in stone carving, bronze, metallic, terracotta sculpture making with the help of state and central governments, industries and academic institutions.

He said it would result in substantial business and employment opportunities for entrepreneurs and artisans of Chhattisgarh. The government must encourage export of these items.

Dr Kalam suggested that the government should establish Chhattisgarh Heritage centers in a number of towns to market the products of artisans and craftsmen of the state.

The President said 'Purkhauti Muktangan' should provide a platform for innovation, creativity, and propagate cultural values, and promote research and development towards enriching our ancient technologies blended with modern techniques.

It should graduate from being custodian of ancient culture into a platform for disseminating cultural values across the world, he added.

''This museum should also have exhibits envisioning an economically developed by 2015. In essence 'Purkhauti Muktangan' should be a place where the past meets the present and creates the future,'' he said.

Chhattisgarh governor Lt Gen (retd) Krishna Mohan Seth, Chief Minister Raman Singh, Minister for Culture Brijmohan Agrawal were among those present.

UNI