Digital Kumbh Museum to be Established in Arail, Prayagraj

The Digital Kumbh Museum is set to be established in Arail, Prayagraj, ahead of the 2025 Maha Kumbh.

This museum aims to be a major attraction for religious tourism, showcasing the glory and ancient heritage of Sanatan Dharma. Visitors will learn about sages, seers, and the traditions of Kumbh and Maha Kumbh through various exhibits.

The museum will use digital screens and holograms across 14 galleries to showcase the history and significance of the Kumbh Mela, providing an immersive experience for pilgrims.

The museum will feature light and sound shows, cultural programs, and will be designed in a unique shape, possibly resembling a lotus bud or a Kumbh Kalash.

The project is expected to cost around INR 200 crore and will include facilities like parking, a pond, an exhibition hall, and a handicraft village.

The Digital Kumbh Museum in Arail is expected to be completed before the 2025 Maha Kumbh. The project is currently in the planning and development stages, with a significant focus on ensuring it is ready to welcome visitors in time for the grand event.

London's Science Museum Opens Adani Green Energy Gallery

The Science Museum in London has today opened a new gallery called "Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery." This free gallery explores the potential of renewable energy to address climate change, featuring contemporary and historic objects from the UK and abroad.

The gallery aims to inspire visitors to create a sustainable world and showcases transformative technology and sustainability efforts. The gallery opened on March 26, 2024, and is expected to be a significant addition to the museum, replacing the previous Atmosphere gallery.

At the centre of the gallery is Only Breath, a moving sculpture that signifies the power of nature to inspire technological change. Radiating outward from the centre are plinths which display vital low-carbon renewable energy technologies for the transition, from nuclear, hydrogen and solar to wind and tidal power, alongside remarkable historic innovations that remind us how major change is possible and that many of the technologies needed to make the low-carbon energy transition already exist.

Objects in this section include a 7m long tidal turbine blade made by Scottish renewable energy company Orbital Marine Power and the first electric taxi, the Bersey cab, hailed by Londoners in 1897.

Besides, this free gallery at the Science Museum in London features several other highlights:

• Future Planet: This section explores the changes to our climate that we are already experiencing and examines how scientists use complex computer models to glimpse the climate futures we could face, depending on the decisions we make today.
• Future Power: Focusing on the projects and technologies we could use in a low-carbon future, this area showcases historic artifacts alongside contemporary technologies such as solar mirrors and nuclear fusion reactors. It highlights the people and technologies that are transforming the way energy is supplied and used.
• Our Future: Here, children's imaginative ideas of how the world will meet its energy needs in decades to come are featured, along with experts’ responses to these ideas. Imagining the future is a powerful way of generating knowledge, stimulating innovation, and shaping decisions about how we live. 

The gallery aims to show how the past, present, and future are shaped by human imagination and innovation and explores the role of humans in deciding our energy future. It's a space that encourages visitors to think, dream, and wish for change, demonstrating how our world, economy, and personal lives can evolve for the better.

Study part of the Zero Energy Thermonuclear Assembly (ZETA), a nuclear fusion experiment from the 1950s |Image © Science Museum Group

FREE OBJECT GALLERY

Norway's Munch Museum and TCS to Create Interactive AI-Powered Museum Experiences

Tata Consultancy Services and Munch Museum (MUNCH) Collaborate to Create Interactive AI-Powered Museum Experiences Showcasing Edvard Munch’s Art and Celebrating His Innovative and Inclusive Spirit

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) has partnered with the Munch Museum (MUNCH) in Oslo to create immersive and interactive drawing experiences for local visitors and global audiences. Scientists from TCS Research will leverage their expertise in AI and Machine Learning (ML) to bring Edvard Munch’s artworks and creative process to life through the power of digital innovation.

MUNCH contains the world's most extensive collection of art dedicated to the renowned Norwegian artist, with 26,724 artworks, non-art objects and writings, parts of which are spread across 11 galleries on 13 floors. The museum approached TCS to collaborate on creating the first-ever real-time drawing experience based on Munch’s extensive collection as a way of honoring his inventive and inclusive spirit, and engaging new audiences with this fascinating part of Munch's artistry.

TCS and MUNCH will work together on designing, developing, and testing pioneering AI and ML technologies connected to the museum’s database of approximately 7,000 original drawings. In addition to collaboration through pathbreaking research, TCS will also provide IT consultancy, collaborative workshops, and talent exchanges to help create immersive museum experiences that showcase the future of art. These experiences will allow museum visitors to get closer to Munch’s unique worldview by immersing in the aesthetic quality of his paintings and drawings.

TCS will provide MUNCH access to its Research teams, partners from its Co-Innovation Network (COIN™), tools, and methodologies. The collaboration will offer the museum an opportunity to work with TCS’ Pace Ports™, a global network of co-innovation and research hubs to rapidly design and prototype next-generation digital solutions. 

This partnership will also enable MUNCH and TCS to assess joint business opportunities for partners and clients by exploring strategic priorities and art technology use cases.

Tone Hansen, Director at MUNCH, commented: “Edvard Munch was a restless innovator who explored the human condition through his experimental art, and we wanted to honor his dream of sharing his art with everyone. TCS has a reputation for digital innovations, and it has been thought provoking to see how powerful AI and ML technologies can be used to bring an artist’s work to life in ways they could never have imagined. We believe this partnership will help us further extend our work in engagin a global audience interested in experiencing our museum and the fascinating oeuvre of Edvard Munch.”

Dr Harrick Vin, Chief Technology Officer, TCS, said: “We are excited to be a part of MUNCH’s futuristic vision, and the possibility of using generative AI in an area that is as personal and intimate as art appreciation. Applications such as this truly bring to life the scenarios that the current generation of AI systems have made possible. We are delighted to partner with the museum as it provides an intimate insight into Munch’s worldview and by using AI, we make learning about art a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone.”

About MUNCH

MUNCH is home to the world's largest collection of works by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch and houses more than 26,000 works that Edvard Munch bequeathed to the City of Oslo. MUNCH preserve and manage the collection, and displays iconic artworks from the permanent collection, alongside digital content, temporary exhibitions and an extensive program of art and cultural experiences across thirteen floors - available for the public worldwide. For more information, visit: www.munchmuseet.no/en/ 

Linked with AgriTech Startups, Science Museum Inaugurated in Himachal's Chambal

The Minister says, Himachal with rich biodiversity is most suitable for promotion of Agri-tech Start-ups and promised DBT hand-holding of young innovators to take a plunge in ongoing start-up boom in the country

Ministry of Science and Technology taken an initiative to install 75 science museums in different Aspirational districts of the country to infuse scientific temper among the school children: Dr Jitendra Singh

Union Minister for Science and Technology and MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh today inaugurated a Science Museum at Aspirational District of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh in presence of State Chief Minister Shri Jairam Thakur and other dignitaries.

Linking it to Start-Ups, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the state-of-art institution in this hilly region will inspire young children to discover their potentials and use their innovative skills to find a source of livelihood in later life.

The "DBT-NIPGR-Pandit Jaiwant Ram Upmanyu Science Museum" set up by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research, an autonomous institute of Department of Biotechnology, at Government Boys Senior Secondary School (GBSSS), Chamba will help infuse scientific temper among the school children. 

Dr Jitendra Singh said that Himachal being a Himalayan State with rich biodiversity is most suitable for promotion of Agri-tech Start-ups and the Department of Biotechnology is willing to hand-hold the young innovators to take a plunge in the ongoing start-up boom in the country. He said, the geography and climatic conditions in Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh favour the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants and these can be developed into Agri-tech and aromatic enterprises. The Minister offered Chief Minister Jairam Thakur all help to study and implement CSIR supported Aroma Mission in Jammu and Kashmir, which can be replicated in a big way in Himachal.

The minister pointed out that only recently Prime Minister Modi has reviewed the progress of Aspirational Districts and remarked, “The success of Aspirational Districts on various parameters - be it health, nutrition, education or exports - is heartening. Glad to see the lives of lakhs get transformed due to Aspirational Districts program.

The Minister was happy to note that Chamba has been ranked second in Health and Nutrition in March 2019, ranked among best districts in basic infrastructure in November 2020 and overall second in October 2021 in the country among the 117 districts identified across the country by NITI Aayog. He added that Aspirational District concept is based on objective parameters and it is scientifically designed with evaluation based on certain essential indices. 

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates Science Museum at Aspirational District of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, links it with StartUps; State Chief Minister Shri Jairam Thakur graces the inaugural even.

The Minister says, Himachal with rich biodiversity is most suitable for promotion of Agri-tech Start-ups and promised DBT hand-holding of young innovators to take a plunge in ongoing start-up boom in the country.

Ministry of Science and Technology taken an initiative to install 75 science museums in different Aspirational districts of the country to infuse scientific temper among the school children: Dr Jitendra Singh

Union Minister for Science and Technology and MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Saturday, inaugurated a Science Museum at Aspirational District of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh in presence of State Chief Minister Shri Jairam Thakur and other dignitaries.

Linking it to Start-Ups, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the state-of-art institution in this hilly region will inspire young children to discover their potentials and use their innovative skills to find a source of livelihood in later life.

Last year in September, Dr. Singh had announced that Government will be setting up Science Museums across the country to promote scientific temper, particularly among children and the younger generation. 

The "DBT-NIPGR-Pandit Jaiwant Ram Upmanyu Science Museum" set up by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research, an autonomous institute of Department of Biotechnology, at Government Boys Senior Secondary School (GBSSS), Chamba will help infuse scientific temper among the school children. 

Dr Jitendra Singh said that Himachal being a Himalayan State with rich biodiversity is most suitable for promotion of Agri-tech Start-ups and the Department of Biotechnology is willing to hand-hold the young innovators to take a plunge in the ongoing start-up boom in the country. He said, the geography and climatic conditions in Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh favour the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants and these can be developed into Agri-tech and aromatic enterprises.

The Minister offered Chief Minister Jairam Thakur all help to study and implement CSIR supported Aroma Mission in Jammu and Kashmir, which can be replicated in a big way in Himachal. 

Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that only recently Prime Minister Modi has reviewed the progress of Aspirational Districts and remarked, “The success of Aspirational Districts on various parameters - be it health, nutrition, education or exports - is heartening. Glad to see the lives of lakhs get transformed due to Aspirational Districts program.”

The Minister was happy to note that Chamba has been ranked second in Health and Nutrition in March 2019, ranked among best districts in basic infrastructure in November 2020 and overall second in October 2021 in the country among the 117 districts identified across the country by NITI Aayog. He added that Aspirational District concept is based on objective parameters and it is scientifically designed with evaluation based on certain essential indices.

Dr Jitendra Singh told the gathering thay aligning with the vision of Prime Minister to make Science & Technology reach every nook and corner of the country, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India has taken an initiative to install 75 science museums in different Aspirational districts of the country. He said, the purpose of these science museums is not only to apprise the scientific journey and achievements of India in the last 75 years of Independent India but also to infuse scientific temper among the school children

Dr Singh once again underlined that this initiative will lead to science-based, rational and progressive thinking among the students so that they are encouraged to take science as a career and spread scientific vision in the society, besides giving shape to critical thinking in the form of lucrative start-up Ventures. 

"The establishment of these science museums should not only cherish the rich scientific heritage of our country but also emerge as crucibles of innovation and invoke curiosity and enthusiasm in the students and the youth" , said Dr Jitendra Singh. He said, the establishment of science museums in the aspirational districts will also effectively contribute to the “Jan Bhagidari” and Samgra Shiksha Abhiyan of Government of India.

In his address, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur profusely thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dr Jitendra Singh for granting Science Museum to the Aspirational District of Chamba and said it will go a long way in inculcating scientific spirit and approach among the students of this district and also the adjoining areas. 

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Mr. Thakur said, "In the last 8 years, several developmental projects were sanctioned for Himachal Pradesh to make it at par with other developed states of the country. He particularly mentioned about Shri Modi laying the foundation stone of the Medical Device Park at Nalagarh, at a cost of about Rs 350 crore on 5th October, 2022, which will significantly enhance employment opportunities in the region."

Earlier in the month of May, North India’s 1st Biotech Park/Incubator was launched by Dr. Jitendra Singh in Jammu & Kashmir region. The Biotech Park would act as hub for incubation of new ideas and will support the agri-entrepreneurs, startups, progressive farmers, scientists & scholars not only from J&K, but from neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

India's 1st Space Museum to Open in Kolkata in January

Representative Image

Next year i.e. 2022 will be the 75th year of India's independence and on this occasion of platinum jubilee of India's Independence, the country's first space museum is being launched in Kolkata. The first of its kind space-based museum will open its doors for the general public in January, next year. The museum could have been launched by the end of this year but the work of the same was occasionally halted due to the Covid situation.

The space museum is being built on one floor of a 5-storey building being constructed on a part of  Indian Centre for Space Physics (ICSP) 's 36,000-square-foot land on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, a stone's throw from the Jyotirindra Nandi metro station. Indian Centre for Space Physics (ICSP) is an Indian non-profit research organisation dedicated to carrying out advanced research in astronomy, astrophysics and space science. It is a sister institute of the University of Calcutta.

The West Bengal government has provided Rs 4 million for the construction of the museum land and its infrastructure.

Earlier in late last month, the government has announced that it will be setting up Science Museums across the country to promote scientific temper, particularly among children and the younger generation. 

Speaking to Anandabazar Online, Sandeep Chakraborty, a professor of astronomy at the Indian Center for Space Physics (ICSP) in Kolkata, said that he has spent part of his earnings and savings to build the first space museum in India to procure rare, precious parts of the body of the moon, rare rocks of Mars and various asteroids scattered around the earth at different times.

The upcoming space museum in Kolkata will be full of space objects. Sandeep has mentioned a few special ones in his collection. One of them is a part of the rock of Mars, which crashed in 2016 in North-West Africa. Sandeep collected the part weighing 5.6 grams of that rock. One of the components is oxides of iron and titanium. 

The museum also houses a huge meteorite that struck 50,000 years ago in the Arizona desert of America. The meteorite struck a huge hole in the Arizona.

The museum also houses the rock fragments of the moon that hit Mali in Africa in 2016. Weighing 111 grams, the moon rock's body is made of materials like iron, nickel, aluminum.

Recently, in an addition to museums in the country, state government of Meghalaya is planning to set up a Museum on Climate Change to sensitize people and to inspire action on the climate crisis through this museum.

News Source - anandabazar.com

Over 2.8 Lakh Artefacts of 10 Govt Museums and Galleries Available Online

The Ministry of Culture has taken up the task of digitization of collections of ten (10) museums under its domain through Jatan programme since April 2014, even before the onset of Covid-19. 

Besides this, the Ministry also operates a scheme namely ‘Museum Grant Scheme’ under which financial assistance is provided to State Governments, Societies, Autonomous Bodies, Local Bodies and Trusts registered under the Societies Act for digitization of art objects in the museums across the country for making their images/catalogue available over the website for online access.

The number of artefacts at Government museums and galleries under Ministry of Culture available for online access as of 30.06.2021 at the website http://museumsofindia.gov.in are as under:

• Name of Museum   -   No. of artefacts available on site
• National Museum, New Delhi   -   80997
• Indian Museum, Kolkata   -   46326
• Victoria Memorial Hall. Kolkata  -   26611
• Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad   -   47504
• Allahabad Museum, Paryagraj -   61642
• National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi - 12902
• National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai - 1460
• National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru - 534
• ASI Goa Museum - 701
• ASI, Nagarjunakonda Museum - 8450

This information was given by the Minister for Culture Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

This information was given by the Minister for Culture, Tourism & Development of North Eastern Region, Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha Today.