Indian Ministry of Culture has an autonomous organization named the National Council of Science Museums. Under this single administration, there is the largest chain of science centres or museums. The council was formed on April 4, 1978. The council administers its own 24 science museums or centres and one R & D laboratory and training centre located in different states of India. All informal science communication activities taking place in the museum space in the country are coordinated by the council.
The first science museum, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, was opened in Kolkata on May 2, 1965. The Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM), the second science museum, was opened in Bangalore in July 1965. According to the recommendations made by the council, different science museums were set up in other parts of the country at district, state, and national levels. Also, a central coordinating agency was set up under the council.
Units of the Council
- Birla Industrial & Technological Museum, Kolkata
- Central Research & Training Laboratory, Kolkata
- National Science center, Delhi
- Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai
- Science City, Kolkata
- Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore
Ministry of Culture
The Indian Government has charged the Ministry of Culture with the promotion and preservation of the culture and art of India. Under this Ministry, the National Mission on Libraries India is established. The Ministry functions to conserve cultural heritage. The main task of the Ministry is to sustain and develop means through which the aesthetic and creative sensibility of the people. The Ministry also promotes cultural exchanges at international levels and spreads awareness among people about the culture and heritage of the nation. The Ministry undertakes various activities to achieve this objective.
Organizations related to the Ministry
- Archeological Survey of India
- Central Secretariat Library
- National Archives of India
- Anthropological Survey of India
- Central Reference Library
- National Gallery of Modern Art
- National Library of India
- National Museum
- And various other autonomous organizations and zonal cultural centers are part of it.
What is the mission of the Ministry of Culture?
The Ministry continues various activities to promote, preserve and disseminate all forms of art and culture:
- Conserves and maintains the historic sites and ancient monuments
- Does the administration of libraries
- Promotes visual, literary, and performing arts
- Different events are observed, such as centenaries and anniversaries of influential personalities
- It also promotes other initiatives taken by an individual and institutions in the field of art and culture
- Various cultural agreements are also made with foreign countries
- The department creates cultural awareness from the grassroots level to the international level.
