Ujire – “Museums play a vital role in preserving ancient artifacts and creating awareness of historical heritage for contemporary society. Without them, constructing history is impossible,” said Dr. Jayaram Shettigar, Assistant Professor at Milagres College, Kalyanpura. He was the chief guest at the inauguration of ‘Preserve Historical Heritage Week’ and the guest lecture on ‘Role of Museums in Protecting Historical Knowledge’, organized by the History Department of SDM College, Ujire, on September 23.
Dr. Shettigar emphasized that museum artifacts are repositories of immense knowledge. He urged students not to see these artifacts as inanimate objects but to develop an interest in engaging with them. “Museums introduce us to our forgotten heritage, enriching us culturally,” he said. He also highlighted that rapid social changes have weakened emotional connections with artifacts, often reducing them to a “use-and-throw” approach, and stressed that understanding one’s own family and local heritage should be the first step in learning history.
He encouraged students to explore the stories behind ancient artifacts and to view their surroundings through a historical lens. “It is the responsibility of the younger generation to preserve historical traditions and pass them on to the future,” he added.
The programme was presided over by Dr. Sanmati Kumar, Head of the History Department, who noted that many ancient monuments are misused due to a lack of historical awareness. She emphasized that activities like this help cultivate historical consciousness and that integrating history into daily life is essential for its preservation.
The event was attended by Assistant Professor Abhijnya Upadhyay, student representatives Akshay and Kiranmayi, and other students. Sushira, a second-year B.A. student, welcomed the gathering, while Akshata offered felicitations. The programme was anchored by third-year B.A. students Srishti and Manasa, with prayers offered by Preeti and her group.
