From: Press Information Bureau Ministry of I&B <pib.kolkata@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 2:20 PM
Subject: Releases...........pt2
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Culture
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Releases "Monuments of Delhi"- A Book Published by Archaeological Survey of India
New Delhi: September 27, 2010.
The Prime Minister (who is also the Culture Minister) Dr. Manmohan Singh here today released a special volume titled 'Monuments of Delhi' published by the Archaeological Survey of India. Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister said that the 'city of Delhi is a living museum. We have the obligation to preserve, protect, study and document the rich legacy of one of the great cities of the world. This book will be of use not only to the many visitors who we will welcome shortly to Delhi but to its residents as well.'
Here is the full text of Prime Minister's speech:
"I would like to compliment the Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India and the producers of the book 'Monuments of Delhi' for putting together this excellent publication. Delhi is rapidly transforming into a modern metropolis and the skyline is constantly undergoing change. But we should not forget that Delhi is among the most historic cities in the world.
The city's history spans many millennia from early historic times up to the present day. Delhi is better known for its adventures in later periods in Indian history, particularly during the Mughal period. But a Minor Rock Edict of the Ashokan period shows that Delhi was located on the trunk route connecting the main cities of Ancient India in the 3rd century BC.
This well illustrated work has been aesthetically designed and produced to provide some interesting glimpses of some of the lesser known, as well as the better known edifices, of Delhi. They include the World Heritage sites, as declared by the UNESCO. Many of these remains are often spoken of as collectively constituting the 'Seven Cities'. The book also contains a wealth of information on historical relics, dating back to the Mauryas, the Guptas, the Rajputs, the Sultanate, the Mughal and the Colonial periods.
Out of 174 monuments that are maintained by the ASI in Delhi, this book focuses on 46 monuments that are located within the 'core area' of the Commonwealth Games, which cover the heart of the city.
It is rightly said that the city of Delhi is a living museum. We have the obligation to preserve, protect, study and document the rich legacy of one of the great cities of the world. This book will be of use not only to the many visitors who we will welcome shortly to Delhi but to its residents as well.
The Ministry of Culture is working on top priority to revitalize the Archaeological Survey of India so that it becomes an institution of excellence that can manage our historical treasures in a professional and truly imaginative manner. I think there should be more efforts such as the publication of 'Monuments of Delhi' that stimulate public interest in our ancient monuments and in the work of the ASI as well.
On the occasion of Commonwealth Games, it gives me great pleasure to release the 'Monuments of Delhi' published by the Archaeological Survey of India."
The richly illustrated and carefully produced volume seeks to provide the visitors to the city with a visual feast of some of its most important and exquisite monuments. These include monuments of three World Heritage Sites and iconic ones like the Purina Quila, which are of national importance, located in the city of Delhi, as the city is dotted with a very large number of monuments, representing different periods of India's past. On behalf of the Ministry of Culture, ASI is the proud custodian of 174 monuments of national importance in Delhi.
This volume released in the presence of Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Sheila Dikshit and several other dignitaries, focuses on 46 selected monuments, primarily because the monuments are located within the 'core area' of Commonwealth Games' activities and are thus much more visible to the large number of participants and viewers. The book is essentially a visual journey through the streets, lanes and alleys of Delhi made possible by imaginative juxtaposition of the most recent photographs in colour and delicate black and white prints from ASI's own archives. The text is based on a dependable account by India's one of the most well known archaeologists, Dr. Y.D. Sharma. It has been adapted to the requirement of all the visitors of today without any compromise on its authenticity. More importantly, it reveals little known facets of Delhi's pre-medieval past. The publication is priced at Rs.800/-. The Ministry of Culture has put in special efforts to contribute to the overall 'showcasing' of India's heritage and cultural expressions, by encouraging, supporting and funding its various institutions that are located in Delhi, so that they are in a good shape and put their best foot forward, during the Commonwealth Games.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) took upon the task of sprucing up the major monuments of Delhi and the Ministry of Culture provided an additional amount of about 20 crores rupees. In the last 2 years, ASI has worked on 46 identified monuments of Delhi and carried out various works of conservation, preservation and environmental development, for an enhanced visitor experience and has also equipped most of these monuments with visitor facilities, like toilets, food kiosks, etc. Illumination works have also been carried out by the ITDC in selected monuments, particularly the Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort, in the interest of the visitors during the Games
It may be worth mentioning here that other than the ASI, the Ministry of Culture has also encouraged, supported and funded its various other organizations as well, to spruce up their premises and organize special exhibitions, performances, film shows and other events, to showcase the plurality and richness of our ancient heritage, as also the contemporary cultural expressions. These institutions include the National Gallery of Modern Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sahitya Akademi, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, National School of Drama, National Archives of India, National Museum, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Central for Cultural Resources & Training, National Science Centre, Delhi Public Library and the seven Zonal Cultural Centres. In addition to their annual grants, the Ministry of Culture has provided an additional fund to these institutions, for the special events and programmes. These functions will be organized within the premises of the 16 institutions of the Ministry of Culture in the city of Delhi, as part of the cultural festival 'Delhi Celebrates' that is being coordinated for the period of Games, by Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi.
As part of these cultural events, an international exhibition on 'Intuit Art' from the Canadian Arctic will be opened to public from 28th September 2010 at the National Museum. The National Gallery of Canada, the National Museum of New Delhi and the National Museum Institute have jointly organized this exhibition. The exhibition is the first major venture under the India-Canada MOU on Cultural Cooperation that was signed during Prime Minister's visit to Canada in June 2010, and was mentioned in the Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of India and Canada.
A special mention must be made of the Nehru Planetarium, (located in the premises of Nehru Memorial Museum & Library) which has been successfully modernized by the NMML, with the active encouragement and special funding from the Ministry of Culture. The National Council of Science Museums, another autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, took up this task and the fully renovated and modernized Planetarium will be thrown open to public later this week by Dr. Karan Singh, President, ICCR and Vice-Chairman, NMML Society, who strongly supported this feat Modernisation.
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Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Culture
Exhibition Entitled Intuit Art from the Canadian Arctic Opens in New Delhi
New Delhi: September 27, 2010.
The Secretary Culture Shri Jawhar Sircar inaugurated an international exhibition on 'Intuit Art' from the Canadian Arctic in New Delhi today. Acting High Commissioner of Canada in India Shri Jim Nickel was also present on the occasion. The National Museum of New Delhi, the National Museum Institute and the National Gallery of Canada have jointly organized the exhibition. The exhibition is the first major venture under the India-Canada MOU on Cultural Cooperation that was signed during Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit to Canada in June 2010, and was mentioned in the Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of India and Canada.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jawhar Sircar and Shri Jim Nickel expressed the hope that visitors from around the world during the Commonwealth Games 2010 will see a glimpse of 'Intuit Art' through this exhibition.
Inuit Nunangat-the Inuit homeland in Canada- is a glorious expanse of taiga and tundra, polar ice and permafrost that has been inhabited by Inuit and ancestral peoples for more than 4000 years. Since the mid-twentieth century, Inuit artists have established a powerful art movement that tells a compelling story of artistic invention and cultural continuity. Featuring masterworks from the collection of the National Gallery of Canada, the exhibition Sanaugavut, meaning "our works of art" in Inuktitut, focuses on the emergence of this most recent stage of creative expression and features sculptures, prints, drawings, textile art, and video that highlight the significant themes of Inuit art- traditional social life and customs, spiritual beliefs and mythology, historical moments and personal experiences- in a richly diverse range of artistic media and styles.
The exhibition will be opened to public from 28th September 2010 at the National Museum, Janpath, New Delhi.
ad/db/dk/kol/14:14 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Home Affairs
Chidambaram Appeals to People of J&K to Ensure
Normal Functioning of All Schools and Colleges
New Delhi: September 27, 2010.
The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram has appealed to all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that all schools and colleges function normally. In a statement issued here today he expressed happiness over the fact that most schools and colleges have reopened, disregarding a call by one of the Hurriyat leaders. Following is the text of the statement:
"Government is happy to learn that most schools and colleges have reopened in Jammu and Kashmir and most students have gone back to school/college today.
There was a call by one of the Hurriyat leaders to parents asking them not to send their children to school/college. Happily, parents have disregarded that call and sent their children to schools/colleges.
There were a few minor incidents of stone-pelting on school buses at Habak, Bemina and Nowgam. How can any right thinking person pelt stones on school buses? I hope that such mischief will stop immediately. Anyone who has the interest of the children at heart cannot indulge intone-pelting; nor should anyone support such mischievous attempts to interfere with the functioning of schools and colleges.
I am confident that the few schools and colleges that remain closed today, presumably out of caution, will reopen tomorrow. I am also confident that the attendance will improve significantly tomorrow. The Government of J&K has assured us that every effort is being made to ensure that all schools and colleges reopen and function normally and that security will be provided to enable the students to attend schools and colleges.
I appeal to all sections of the people of J&K, especially parents, to cooperate with the State Government and ensure that all schools and colleges function normally".
ok/kka/dk/kol/14:15 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Shipping
L. Radhakrishnan Appointed as Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust
New Delhi: September 27, 2010.
The Central Government has appointed Shri L. Radhakrishnan, IAS (KL:84) as Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust for a period of five years w.e.f. the date of assumption of charge of the post or up to the date of his retirement on superannuation or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.
He is presently posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, Power Department, Government of Kerala.
mc/mk/dk/kol/14:15 hrs.
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Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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