Inaugurating the 'Vivekananda Memorial Programme for Museum Excellence', Selja stressed the need to introduce specialisations in vital areas of museums in India such as preservation, conservation and collection management.
"In the 21st century, there is a need to address issues of modernisation and upgradation of museums in the country by employing state-of-the-art technology to make them interactive and interesting. Parallel with the museums of the world, Indian museums are becoming inclusive centres of learning and community participation," she said.
Various complimentary initiatives are being undertaken to enable exchange and learning for museum personnel under the Museum Reform Programme, she said.
Paying rich tributes to Swami Vivekananda, the Culture Minister said, cultural exchange has at its center the philosophy of 'tolerance' and 'universal acceptance'.
"These ideas were mooted by the great Indian Philosopher, Swami Vivekananda in his historical speech on September 11, 1893 at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. We remember him as the first Cultural Ambassador and Advocate of inter-faith understanding who spread the spirit of peace and cooperation from India to the West," Selja said.
The month-long Museum Excellence Programme has been organized in collaboration with the Art Institute Chicago and a Vivekananda Memorial Plaque has been installed at the Art Institute to commemorate the historic event.