GOVERNOR OF WEST BENGAL, MR. M.K. NARAYANAN, VISITS GOA CHITRA MUSEUM

GOVERNOR OF WEST BENGAL, MR. M.K. NARAYANAN, VISITS GOA CHITRA, MUSEUM OF THE PEOPLE OF GOA.


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.

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 goachitra@gmail.com

Victor Hugo Gomes can be contacted at House No. 498, Pulwaddo, Benaulim, Salcete, Goa - 403716, India
mobile:09850466165 landline:0832-6570877
Email: victor.h.gomes at hotmail.com

Photos by: Pantaleao Fernandes
Info source: goachitra


[As forwarded to gaspar almeida, www.goa-world.com
moderator, gulf-goans e-newsletter (since 1994)]

30/05/2010