Cultural and Civilisational Digest: June-2024

India’s archaeological site museums need major makeover. Vadnagar must set an example- The Print

There’s a notable rise in innovative museums across India, such as the Museum of Art or MAP, and the recently opened Science Gallery in Bengaluru. This reflects a positive shift in the perception of museums from mere repositories of antiquities to dynamic educational platforms. However, archaeological site museums continue to face challenges, struggling with outdated infrastructure and insufficiently trained staff. Efforts are needed to modernise them and effectively communicate the stories of archaeological sites to visitors. Click here to read... [2]

Tamil Nadu launches archaeological excavations in eight locations- Deccan Herald

Excavations in all eight locations were approved by the Central Advisory Board for Archaeology (CABA) earlier this year, but the digging couldn’t take place immediately due to enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct that was in place for Lok Sabha polls.

Keeladi, the Sangam Era site 12 km south-east of Madurai is dated to be at least 2,600 years old with a thriving industrialised settlement on the banks of River Vaigai, Kilnamandi (Tiruvannamalai), Vembakottai (Virudhunagar), and Porpanai Kottai (Pudukkottai). These are the four existing sites where excavations will continue in different phases. Chennanur in Krishnagiri district, Kongalnagaram (Tiruppur), Marungur (Cuddalore), and Thirumalpuram (Tenkasi), are the four new sites where the digging was launched. Click here to read... [3]

‘Fifty Year Road’ review: A personal history of India penned by a politically conscious Indian- The Week

The title is a little confusing. Fifty-year road? Puzzling. Since the book was published in 2024, one tends to count back to 1974. What happened in 1974? The nuclear test? Or the railway strike? Why should Bhaskar Roy write about those? He wouldn’t have reported these events.

Though claims to be a personal history, there is little about the author or his life in the book. Indeed, his college days, jobs, marriage, child birth and such personal incidents are talked about, but all those are smartly juxtaposed in the political context. The story that he wants to tell is the story of those political contexts and not his story. Thus, the book is a sweeping political history, part of which the author watched, a bit of it he experienced, and more of it he reported. Click here to read... [4]

Stonehenge covered in powder paint by Just Stop Oil- BBC

Part of Stonehenge has been covered in orange powder paint by protesters. Two Just Stop Oil campaigners sprayed the powder paint on the historic site near Salisbury, Wiltshire, at about 12:00 BST on Wednesday. The move comes the day before celebrations begin for the Summer Solstice at the 5,000-year-old landmark. Wiltshire Police confirmed two people had been arrested on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument. Click here to read... [5]

Uganda welcomes return of 39 artefacts from Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology- Museum Association

The Uganda Museum, in the country’s capital Kampala, held a welcome reception this week to celebrate the return of 39 artefacts from the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. The items were taken from Uganda during the 1890s and early 1900s by British colonial administrators, anthropologists, missionaries and soldiers. Many of them were given to British museums by Reverend John Roscoe, an anthropologist and missionary from the UK. They arrived back in the country on Saturday 8 June. Click here to read... [6]

PM Modi inaugurates new Nalanda University campus in Bihar- The Hindu

The Prime Minister on June 19 inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University, an international University, close to the site of the ancient ruins of Nalanda in Rajgir, Bihar.

Asserting that Nalanda is a symbol of India’s academic heritage and vibrant cultural exchange, Mr. Modi said, “Nalanda is the proclamation of this truth that books may burn in the flames of fire, but the flames of fire cannot destroy knowledge. Nalanda is an identity, respect, and pride.” Click here to read... [7]

International Yoga Day 2024: World, India Celebrates Yoga Day, PM Modi Leads Celebrations- NDTV

Addressing the nation on International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the world is looking at Yoga as an agent of global good. The PM was scheduled to address the nations on the banks of the Dal Lake to celebrate the 10th International Yoga Day but due to incessant rain the event was moved indoor.

Over the years, PM Modi has led Yoga Day celebrations at various iconic locations, including Delhi's Kartavya Path, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi and Jabalpur. Last year, he led the events at the UN Headquarters in New York, which is expected to bring more attention to the Srinagar programme. Click here to read... [8]

Nalanda University: An ancient centre of learning- The Hindu

Years-long efforts to re-establish the ‘Mahavihara’, known as the first international residential school in the world and home for learned monks and teachers, from Nagarjuna to Aryabhatta, came to fruition last week as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a specially-designed new campus in Bihar. Click here to read... [9]

Tata Sons to build Rs 650-crore Museum of Temples in Ayodhya- The Economic Times

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved Tata Sons' proposal to build a 'museum of temples' in Ayodhya, a project worth Rs 650 crore to be funded through Tata's corporate social responsibility fund, a TOI report stated. Additionally, the state cabinet has also sanctioned Rs 100 crore for further development works in Ayodhya and endorsed the initiation of helicopter services in Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Kapilvastu.

The museum project, which has been under consideration since last year, aims to highlight the history and architecture of India's renowned temples and may feature a light-and-sound show. Click here to read... [10]

Art exhibition showcasing Indian, Korean culture inaugurated in Delhi

The opening ceremony for the upcoming exhibition 'Eternal Resonance Between Indian Culture and Korean Culture' was held in the national capital on Thursday. A total of five Indian artists and Korean artists have been selected for the exhibition. The exhibition is being held from June 27 to September 27. The South Korean Ambassador to India, Chang Jae-Bok also attended the event. He appreciated the artworks presented by both Indian and Korean artists. Click here to read... [11]

Archaeological excavations unearth another Neolithic age celt in Dharmapuri district’s Poothinatham- The Hindu

Archaeological excavations in Poothinatham, Dharmapuri district have yielded a celt belonging to the Neolithic age, said A. Sivananandam, Deputy Director of the Department of Archaeology. A celt is a long, thin, prehistoric stone or bronze tool. Click here to read... [12]