Today the Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the 150th year anniversary of ASI at Vigyan Bhawan , New Delhi. This was the start of various programmes which will take place throughout the year.
Welcoming the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Minister of Human Resources Development and Telecommunications Shri Kapil Sibal, the Minister of Culture and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Kumari Selja said that it was in 1861 that the then Government assumed responsibility in respect of archaeological monuments in India and that this day marked the 150th year anniversary of that event.
On this momentous occasion the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure to be present on this event to commemorate and celebrate the 150th year of the Archaeological Survey of India and said that this historic institution has made an outstanding contribution to revealing our country’s rich historical and cultural heritage and protecting it for our posterity.
He further added that the “The Archaeological Survey of India has, over the years, developed high capabilities in exploration, excavation, conservation, environmental upgradation and research and publication. Yet, archaeology today, more than ever before, is expanding its frontiers - both in terms of its philosophy and in terms of methodology”.
To mark the occasion Hon’ble Prime Minister felicitated 5 eminent scholars in the field of Archaeology, Museology and Epigraphy and released two commemorative postage stamps in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of Human Resources Development and Telecommunications, Shri Kapil Sibal.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister also unveiled the plaque and foundation stone of proposed permanent building of ASI which is going to come up at 24-Tilak Marg, New Delhi. A set of not less than 12 publications were released on the occasion. The most significant being
Ancient India – New Series,
Epigraphia Indica Supplement 2011
Epigraphia Indica Vol. XLIII, Part I
Dilli ke Smarak (Hindi),
Excavations at Kanganhalli (Sannati)
During the occasion luminaries in the field of Archaeology/ Epigraphy/ Conservation and Science were also present besides, the officers and staff of the ASI. A select group of children from various schools of Delhi also participated in the function.
The complete text of Prime Minister and Minister of Culture address are available at
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=0SH/RK (Release ID: 79018)
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=0RTS/HSN/DB (Release ID: 79028)
released on 20th Dec. 2011.
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