NAXALBARI,: The
first museum dedicated to the shrinking Dhimal community, located in the
villages of Naxalbari, is still awaiting visitors despite its inauguration
several months ago.
The museum, constructed at Surajpur village along
the Indo-Nepal border under the Naxalbari block, was built at a cost of Rs. 47
lakh. It was officially inaugurated on October 4, 2023, by Arun Ghosh,
Sabhadhipati of Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad.
On Sunday, a meeting was held to discuss the
preservation of the Dhimal community's traditional and antique articles. During
the meeting, a committee was formed to ensure the proper maintenance and
display of these items in the museum.
Although the museum opened nearly a year ago, it
initially lacked furniture, and many of the community’s precious artifacts were
placed directly on the floor. Thanks to additional funds provided by Ghosh,
some improvements have been made, but the available resources remain
insufficient. The room housing the artifacts requires air-conditioning, floor
mats, and other essential furniture, including for the rest room and the museum
itself.
During the meeting, Garjan Mallick, an activist and
poet who leads the Dhimal Astitva Raksha Committee (Dhimal Community Existence
Preservation Committee, DCEPC), emphasized the need for more funds to enhance
the museum and attract visitors.
According to Mallick, an additional Rs. 20 lakh is
needed for essential items such as furniture, tree plantation, landscaping,
fencing, beautification efforts, and electronic equipment like computers and
printers for the office.
Mallick also mentioned that the newly formed
conservation committee will work towards raising funds from various sources.
The committee plans to appeal to MPs, MLAs, and other government officials to
support the cause of preserving the Dhimal community’s heritage.
The two-story museum building was constructed with
funding from the West Bengal government, under the initiative of former Mirik
Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Ashwini Kumar Roy.
The museum currently houses over 200 musical
instruments, agricultural tools, household items, traditional clothing, and
books, all showcasing the rich culture and history of the Dhimal community.
