The State Government is taking concrete measures to preserve ancient manuscripts, scriptures and folk musical instruments. Chief Minister Harish Rawat said this while visiting the folk instruments’ museum constructed with the efforts of Jugal Kishore Petshali at Petshal.
The CM directed the Culture Department to manage this museum with the involvement of Jugal Kishore Petshali. Similar museums being managed through personal effort will be presented as State museums. Rawat said that the Garhwal and Kumaon universities have already been directed to start courses on preservation and upliftment of museums in addition to developing one museum. At the museum in Petshal, the CM viewed the hand written Durga Saptashati, Gurad Puran written in Kumaoni, other scriptures and old folk musical instruments. Developing and maintaining a museum like this with personal effort is a commendable and inspirational effort. Rawat said that the State Government is always ready to encourage such endeavours. Those who try to develop such collections will receive encouragement from the government. On the occasion, Petshali gave detailed information about the exhibits kept in the museum.
Earlier, the chief minister visited the SOS factory in Chitai village where items are prepared from local materials. Stinging nettle, Tulasi, Kilmoda, marigold flowers and other locally available materials are used to made varied products in this factory. Touring the factory, the CM asked its managers to facilitate training here so that the maximum possible number of people can get involved in this activity. He expressed happiness at the production of items from localally available material and the export of these products to foreign nations. If the local people increase their involvement in such activities, such initiatives can be developed considerably, added the chief minister. On the occasion, the centre managers informed the chief minister in detail about their activities and products. More than 50 women are working in this enterprise, they informed.
On the same day, the chief minister also released freedom fighter late Viktor Mohan Joshi souvenir on the occasion. He commended the editor for eliciting attention to aspects of the great freedom fighter’s life which would also inspire the young generation. On the occasion, the chief minister also heard the grievances expressed by the local residents and assured them that the problems would be resolved in the near future. The locals also submitted a memorandum to the chief minister on the occasion. The Vidhan Sabha Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, parliamentary secretary Manoj Tiwari, district Panchayat head Parvati Mehra, public representatives and public servants along with local residents were also present on the occasion.
