Preserve artefacts in Barendra museum properly

Local people formed a human chain in front of Barendra Research Museum in Rajshahi city yesterday demanding measures for proper preservation and display of the rare artefacts.
The participants the programme, organised under the banner of National Archaeological Treasures Protection Council, drew attention of the prime minister in this regard.
They also demanded finding out the people responsible for showing negligence to the national treasures.
"Most of the artefacts, including a few of the 24 artefacts that were sent for an exhibition in France in 2007 and later taken back to the museum, are not displayed at the museum for visitors," council convenor Dr MA Kamal Uri, who led the human chain, said at the programme.
The museum authorities are not taking proper care for the artefacts, much to the disappointment of the visitors and conscious people, said Rajshahi Barendra Parishad convenor Dr Hasan Raja.
When contacted, Muhammad Zakaria, acting director of the museum, said, "Of the 10,000 artefacts, only 1200 are on display at the museum. We have arranged display of a few items of the similar category as there is space shortage."
"Only two artefacts, out of the 24 under discussion, are not displayed for unavoidable reasons. One is 5th century manuscript of 'Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita'. The other, a unique 7th century old gold-coated-bronze statue of Manjusree, has been kept in store as one of its hand was stolen in early 80s," said the official.
A corner of the 7th century Surya idol was partially damaged during its transportation to and from Dhaka and the Ganga idol was cut into two pieces when it was being taken to France, he said, adding that it could not be repaired as they have no such mechanism.
Other items among the 24 artefacts are sculptures of 7th to 12th centuries.