The State Government has planned to make the State Museum disabled friendly. Tourism and Culture Secretary Manoranjan Panigrahi, while speaking at the 58th foundation day of museum, on Tuesday said lift facilities and other disabled friendly systems would be installed at the museum soon in order to make the physically challenged people an easy access to the museum.
On the occasion, six rare Jain idols which were recovered from Biripada village near Muniguda in Rayagada district were displayed at the museum.
The idols belong to 10th century. The brass idols were discovered from an ancient well-like structure barely 300 metre away from the course of the Bansadhara river near Munigada. The idols were found on June 25 when local tribals were digging the place for edible roots. Among the six idols, three statues were in sitting position and the rest three were in standing position.
Attending the event as chief guest, MP Prabhas Kumar Singh said museums are self documentations of each and every community. “The museum here has a good environment and ambiance. Still some improvements are necessary like, the guide system. Tourists who are coming here can understand about the showcased items through the guidance of good guides,” he said. The museum also needs more publicity, he added.
Archaeologist Prof KK Basa said the museum was a part pilgrimage once and it should have digitisation facilities, so that more and more people can witness it. Museum superintendent Jayanti Rath was present among others. Writer Sitakanta Mohapatra and former employees of the museum Rajendra Prasad Prusty, Bijay Mohapatra and Bijay Malia were felicitated on the occasion. Bhagyalaxmi Malha coordinated the programme.