240 ancient artefacts brought back to India in last 9 years: PM Modi at museum expo

The PM also pointed out that many artefacts have been taken out of the country in an unethical manner and urged everyone to work together to put an end to such crimes.

Modi highlighted that various countries have started returning India’s heritage amidst its increasing reputation in the world. He cited examples of the 18th-Century Annapurna statue stolen from Banaras (recently returned from Canada), the 12th-Century statue of Mahishasur Mardini stolen from Gujarat (returned by New York’s Met Museum in 2018), and the idols of Nataraja built during the Chola Empire.

“There should not be any such artwork in any museum of any country, which has reached there in an unethical way…,” the PM said.

He said adequate efforts were not made after Independence towards reviving and preserving the long-lost heritage of the land. The PM further remarked that India “will conserve its heritage and also create a new legacy”.
The three-day expo has been organised by the Ministry of Culture as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 47th International Museum Day with the theme of the year, ‘Museums, Sustainability and Well Being’.

Incidentally, the protection and restitution of cultural heritage are among the most significant objectives of the G20 Cultural Track under India’s Presidency.

The PM also inaugurated a virtual walkthrough of the upcoming National Museum at North and South Blocks, in the presence of Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy, Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Meenakshi Lekhi, and Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi Manuel Rabate.

Divided into several zones over an area of 1.17 lakh sqm, the museum will showcase historical events, personalities, ideas and achievements. “It will tell the story of 5,000 years of Indian civilisation,” officials said about the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum. However, the completion date of the project, part of Central Vista Redevelopment, is not known yet.

Besides, Modi also took a walkthrough of Techno Mela, Conservation Lab and the exhibitions at the expo.
He underlined that a new cultural infrastructure of the country is being developed, citing the development of 10 special museums to highlight the contributions of tribal communities in India’s freedom struggle. Giving examples of conserving the heritage of the land, the PM mentioned Dandi Path where Mahatma Gandhi marched during the Salt Satyagraha and the memorial built at the spot where he broke the salt law.

He also mentioned the redevelopment of Mahaparinirvana Sthal of BR Ambedkar into a national memorial and gave examples of the Museum at Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity, Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab, Govind Guru Ji’s memorial in Gujarat, Man Mahal Museum in Varanasi and the Museum of Christian Art in Goa. He also touched upon the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya dedicated to the former Prime Ministers of the country in Delhi.