Freedom fighter gallery on cards at Odisha State Museum

The Odisha State Museum is all set for a facelift which will transform it into a hub of Odisha’s rich culture, tradition and history.  

If everything goes well as per plans, a special gallery dedicated to the freedom fighters who have sacrificed their lives for the national cause will be opened at the museum. 

According to sources, the State government has chalked out plans to roll out a pictography gallery in August this year which will preserve the legacy of our freedom fighters and important movements like Paika Bidroha, Ghumusura and tribal movements and Salt March through photographs.

Presently, construction of an auditorium on the museum premises is underway and would soon add a handicraft and handloom blocks.

As per reports, the museum has more than 15 galleries. Besides, the government has plans to come up with four more galleries and renovate Mines and Geology gallery under a new blueprint. The museum is likely to get a complete makeover by 2023 before greeting visitors with a new look.  

On Wednesday, an awareness programme was organised on the premises of museum to mark International Museum Day. As part of the event, fire service personnel conducted a mock drill to teach visitors how to save themselves and heritage sites in case of fire mishap.

Bhagyalipi Malla, the superintendent of Odisha State Museum, said, “A mock drill was conducted to make tourists aware about the tricks to save themselves during fire mishaps and natural disasters at heritage sites." 

Ramesh Majhi, Chief Fire Officer, says, “Being the first ever museum of the state, Odisha State Museum never fails to amaze its visitors.  So it’s our duty to keep everything inside the museum protected from fire and other mishaps. Through mock drill, we created awareness about fire fighting tips. Visitors happily received tips and ensured us to follow those tips at home and museum,”