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Nagar Jadughar craves for visitors

SYED TASHFIN CHOWDHuRY
Despite having a rare collection of artifacts, photographs and items of bygone eras, the Nagar Jadughar (City Museum) has failed to attract visitors.
Concerned officials blame the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) for not doing enough to drum up interest in the museum.
"We get around seven to nine visitors every day," said Bhupendra Nath, the lone official of the museum.
The museum remains open from 9 am to 3.30 pm from Saturday to Wednesday and from 9 am to 2:45 pm on Thursdays. An entry ticket is a mere Tk 2.00 a person.
"Most city-dwellers are not aware of the existence of this museum," said Nath, when asked the reason behind the
low turnout. Talking to people of different areas of the capital it was found that Nath had a valid point.
Some who have visited the museum also pointed out that the locution was possibly another reason for such a low
number of visitors.
"Residents from areas like Dhanmondi, Sobhanbagh, Mohakhali and Uttara do not want to visit the museum as it is crowded Gulistan," said Hasan Imam, a Dhaka University student.
"Besides, compared to the National and Liberation War Museums, the collection is rather poor. The space is also limited," added Imam.
The museum currently has detailed history, sketches, photographs of the city's ancient Panchayet (local assembly) system and the items belonging to various Sardars (chiefs).
There are other attractions like 18th century coins, used during the British rule, one of the earliest printing machines, 18th century waistbands, jewellery, vanity bags and illustrations of different historical sites of Dhaka and adjoining areas. Rare photographs, newspaper clippings, one of Bangladesh's first flags, and items used by Freedom Fighters during the glorious Liberation War are also available.
"The under utilisation of the budget allocated for the
museum and overall slackness of the museum's advisory committee are the major reasons behind its current state," said Nurul Alam, social welfare and cultural officer of DCC.
According to Alam, the despite receiving Tk 20 lakh from last year's budget, the museum authorities had failed to enrich its collection.
"The same amount has been allocated for the current fiscal and we hope to use it efficiently this time," said Alam, who felt a curator was an immediate necessity for the museum.
A board of trustees consisting of specialists used to take vital decisions before the museum was re-located to Nagar Bhaban from its previous site in the old quarters of the city. The board was reformed into the advisory committee after the relocation.