Governor of West Bengal, Mr. M.K. Narayanan visits Goa Chitra
By Victor Hugo Gomes
Goa Chitra, Goa’s first Ethnographic museum at Benaulim, Goa was graced
by the Governor of West Bengal, His Excellency Mr. M.K. Narayanan, on
the 30th of May, 2010. The distinguished Governor arrived in the state
yesterday as a special guest at the Gomanta Vibhushan award ceremony
that was held to honor Dr. Kakodkar at a ceremony held in Panjim. Amidst
his tight schedule he made time to visit the Goa Chitra museum,
Benaulim. Mr. Narayanan was accompanied by his wife and Ms. Pamela
Mascarenhas from the tourism department. On arrival he was welcomed by
Mrs. Aldina Gomes, Director of the museum and Ms. Maria Gomes Rebello,
Chairperson, South Goa Z.P.
Photos:
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He was taken on a comprehensive tour around the museum by curator Victor
Hugo Gomes, taking keen interest in the artifacts and the science behind
every agrarian implement as well as other objects in the collection that
showcase Goa’s rich cultural past.
His Excellency was very impressed with the sustainable organic farm and
how it tied to the museum’s objectives to collect, preserve and pay
tribute to Goa's unique heritage for future generations. A former
national security advisor, Mr. M.K. Narayanan was fascinated by Victor’s
dedication and effort to singlehandedly collect, preserve, and document
and display the collection through self funding. In his message the
Governor noted the following: “It is amazing what we can achieve with
dedication, drive and the support of your family. Goa Chitra is history,
philosophy, religion and ecology all worked into one. It is a journey
into our ancient past indicating how modern our forefathers were in
knowing how environment and nature works. Keep it up”.
Victor explained that the genesis of the museum began many years ago
when he started collecting old, discarded implements and tools from
attics and storerooms because he was saddened to see reminders of a way
of life disappear. But as the collection grew, he was awed by the
richness of the culture and heritage that these objects represented, and
the knowledge and skills of our forefathers. His quest to collect
objects and artifacts led him to travel the length and breadth of Goa,
to the remotest of villages, speaking to the village elders, documenting
the ethnicity and rituals associated with every item.
The governor expressed his surprise that no local body had taken
interest in coming forward to provide funding to the museum. "It is an
amazing collection that reflects the history, culture, science and
technology that prevailed in Goa. This gentleman needs our support and I
shall do what I can in my power to support this museum and its ideas.”
Since the opening of the museum on 2nd November 2009, Goa Chitra has
been graced by many distinguished guests that include the Union Minister
of Tourism, Ms. Kumari Selja, the Governor of Goa, His Excellency Dr.
S.S. Sidhu, the Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk, winner of the Man Booker
Prize, Kiran Desai, astronomer and Padmabhushan Awardee, Dr. Jayant
Vishnu Narlikar, Padma Bhushan and renowned Indian poet, lyricist and
director Sampooran Singh Kalra Gulzar, eminent Indian poets Dr. Surjit
Patar, Prof. Naseem Shafai, Ms. Sukhvinder Amrit, Dr. Arabinda Mitra,
Executive Director, Indo-US Science and Technology Forum, Union Tourism
secretary Mr. Sujit Banerjee etc. To preview the collection Goa Chitra
has had over 25,000 people visit the museum and has gained local as well
as national media attention. This project is recognised as an
international product and has been the recipient of two International
awards. The Fundacao Orient scholarship 2009 (Portugal) and the V.X.
Verodiano Award 2009 (USA) for persons who preserve the well being of
mankind through individual advancement in the field of art, music,
literature, science, medicine or humanities.
The museum is open to public on all days except Mondays between 9.00 am
to 6.00 pm. For further details call 08326579877, 08322772910, and
09850466165 or email [email protected]
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