The directive was given to the top officials of the ministry during a visit of the SAC members to the museum, Tuesday. [break]
Ministry of Culture has not showcased these two valuable relics of the 240-year old institution of monarchy due to safety concerns. Officials at Culture Ministry said it would cost about Rs 30 million to keep both crown and scepter inside secured bullet-proof glass boxes and set up separate chamber to secure them from possible harm.
Secretary at Culture Ministry Moda Raj Dotel said SAC has assured us to provide the fund necessary for showcasing the crown and scepter. “We will put them in public display once we receive necessary fund,” he said. The SAC directives come at a time when ordinary people visiting Narayanhiti Museum have been demanding that these two relics of the monarchy also be kept in public display.
During the visit, the SAC team also directed the ministry to open all other remaining halls for public. Many halls within the palace including Shree Sadan, where late King Birendra used to live, are not yet open to public. “Only 40 percent of the actual Royal Palace is open for common people now,” said an official at Culture Ministry.
The visiting SAC members have also assured of arranging necessary fund to renovate Tribhuvan Sadan, where the royal massacre had taken place on June 1, 2001. The then King Gyanendra had demolished the building immediatelt after the carnage.
Officials at Culture Ministry said they also plan to showcase the rare car gifted by Hitler to King Tribhuvan and make an arrangement for ordinary visitors to ride the chariot used by the erstwhile monarchs soon.
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