Mysore/Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Museum Expo-2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on May 18.

He also inaugurated a virtual walkthrough of the upcoming National Museum at the North and South Blocks and took a walkthrough of Techno Mela, Conservation Lab and the Exhibitions showcased on the occasion.

The International Museum Expo was organised as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 47th International Museum Day-2023 with the theme ‘Museums, Sustainability and Well Being’.

Mysuru Rail Museum, the first regional rail museum in the country founded in the year 1979, also took part in the three-day expo.

The Mysuru Rail Museum is among the earliest rail museums to be set up in the country to showcase exhibits like vintage steam locomotives, royal saloon, inspection coaches, goods wagons and other system equipment of the railways built by the erstwhile rulers of Mysore Kingdom in the later part of the nineteenth century. These relics have immense significance in terms of heritage and every effort is made to preserve them for posterity.

The International Museum expo attracted a large number of visitors including many from overseas.

The Mysuru Rail Museum stall where a miniature wooden replica of the 1899-built Maharani’s royal coach and a miniature working model of a steam engine were displayed attracted the rail enthusiasts and general public in equal measure, according to a press release from Dr. Manjunath Kanamadi, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager and Sr.PRO, South Western Railway, Mysuru Division.