This story is from February 7, 2019

State to protect archaeological sites: Deputy CM

State to protect archaeological sites: Deputy CM
Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi
PATNA: Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said on Wednesday the state government has planned to spend Rs417 crore on the protection and renovation of archaeological sites as well as on the construction of high-value museums under its overall policy to conserve the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Addressing the inaugural session of three-day national seminar on ‘Indian archaeology: perspectives for the 21st century’ organized by state art, culture and youth department and Indian Archaeological Society (IAS), Modi said the state government has submitted a demand of Rs417 crore to the 15th Finance Commission chaired by N K Singh.
Modi said he was hopeful that the commission would “consider the state government’s request” as Singh also has huge respect for cultural heritage.
“The state has rich cultural heritage. Its every area has always thrown up archaeological sites, which is why the state government has been taking special care to promote archaeological excavations and the protection of the excavated sites, besides constructing museums to attract national and foreign tourists,” Modi said, adding that Bodh Gaya alone attracts 40,000 foreign tourists annually, on an average.
The state government has been working on constructing a museum in Vaishali at a cost of Rs300 crore, he said. “The ‘asthi kalash’ of Lord Buddha would be kept there on display for the benefit of the tourists. The museum will be constructed only with stones and reflect the grandeur commensurate with the significance of the historical site,” he said, adding: “No bricks, cement or steel will be used.”
Modi said a museum would also be constructed at Telhara, 30km away from the Nalanda historical remains. Museums would also be constructed in all the 38 districts. Besides, a chemical laboratory would also be constructed at the cost of Rs5 crore, he said.
The state government has promoted archaeological excavations at Devangarh in Nawada that yielded an idol from the Pala period and bricks belonging to the Kushan age. Further, the archaeologists excavating the Lali Pahar site in Lakhisarai district found the idol of a ‘dancing Buddha’, he added.
That apart, Bhagalpur has 200 archaeological sites which require further excavation and protection, while excavations have also been done in Saran, Arwal and Rohtas districts and being undertaken in Darbhanga and Purnia districts.
Among others who also addressed the seminar were IAS general secretary K N Dikshit, Society for Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies general secretary P P Joglekar and Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) chairman A P Jamkhedkar. State art, couture and youth department principal secretary Ravi M Parmar welcomed the guests.
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