Mysuru: Nearly 60 students, parents and the public gathered enthusiastically at the Wellington House on Irwin Road, to be a part of the World Museum Day, on a wet Thursday morning.

MLA Vasu flagged off the ‘Museum on Wheels’ bus ride here this morning. He said that the efforts of the Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums, District Administration and the Tourism Department has to be lauded for this initiative of taking the public free of cost on the guided tour.

“It is only when people become aware of the rich culture, history and heritage can a country progress and civilisation survive,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep echoing the MLA said that if this effort becomes a success they would plan to introduce bus rides every weekend.

Resource person Prof. N. S. Rangaraju (retd.) of Ancient History and Archaeology Department, University of Mysore speaking to Star of Mysore said, “Every year we celebrate World Museum Day. But this is the first time that such an effort is being taken up and it is all due to the initiative of DC Randeep. Students from NIE, Maharaja’s College, an African student from JSS College, Marimallappa’s High School and senior citizens are all a part of this tour. They are very curious to learn about the museums and the knowledge it is storing.”

B.L. Rice, the Founder of Archaeology Department and the photos of other Directors like M.H. Krishna, S.R. Rao housed in the Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums in Exhibition Grounds aroused a great deal of curiosity and questions were asked by the participants regarding the replicas of Badami and Aihole, he said.

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) and the Archaeology Museum located above it have an interesting collection of artefacts, said Prof. Rangaraju.  Two KSTDC buses from the Tourism Department are ferrying the participants. They will visit Folklore Museum, Sand Museum, Wax Museum, R.K. Narayan Museum and finally reach Rail Museum.

They will return to Wellington House where lunch will be served. Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums in-charge Director Gavisiddaiah,  Tourism Department Deputy Director Janardhan, Hotel Owners Association President C. Narayanagowda, Mysuru Travels Association President B.S. Prashanth, IGRMS Associate Ashok Vardhan and in-charge Vijay Mohan were present.