The Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh has said that the musuem should play a role of institution of learning and and an important tourist destination. Inaugurating the by-centenatry of Indian Museum in Kolkata this morning, Dr. Singh said that it is not enough in today's world to house a collection.

He said that a museum needs to document, study and analyse its own collections, make comparisons with similar collections elsewhere and build up collaborations with other great museums. The Prime Minister said that museums must become an attractive place where visitors can observe and learn in a relaxing atmosphere.

Referring to the exhibit, Dr. Singh said that the Indian museum houses one of the finest collections of art and antiquity in the country and said this is truly an institution of which every Indian should be proud.

Dr. Singh unveiled the modernised Indian Museum and released a commemorative postage stamp and a monograph on the History of 200 years of Indian Museum.

The West Bengal Governor Mr. M.K. Narayanan, Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee, Deputy Chairman of the planning Commission, the Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Union Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch and Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology, Krupalani Killi were also present.