J&K heritage centre to be upgraded

National Museum will play its role to enrich the heritage centre coming up at Hari Niwas on the banks of famous Dal Lake and also preserve the rare material available in different places in Kashmir.

"All necessary steps would be taken to protect the heritage of Kashmir, which has a bright and distinguished past," Director-General of the National Museum K Chakarwarti said, presiding over a day-long conference of historians, intellectuals and literary personalities in the Valley yesterday.

Information research components and other traditional cultural units would be a part of the cultural heritage centre at Hari Niwas, he added.

Chakarwarti also said the important government departments would be given adequate space in the premises, while stressing the need for proper care of the rare manuscripts available in government establishments and private organisations.

A weel-long workshop for training people with regard to the preservation of rare manuscripts will also be held as part of the conference, officials said.

Director, Libraries, P K Tiwari said his departement has initiated the process of microfilming the rare books available in the number of libraries being maintained by the departement.