'No item has gone missing from Rabindra Museum in Mungpoo'
Darjeeling: The director of Cinchona and Other medicinal Plants, Government of West Bengal in a Press release declared that no item has gone missing from the Rabindra Museum in Mungpoo and there has been no theft.
Recently there had been media reports that some articles used by Tagore had gone missing from the Rabindra Musuem. A Press release issued by the director on Friday stated: "The Directorate inquired thoroughly and found that there were few photocopies of letters written by Kabiguru which were completely damaged due to moisture before repair and renovation work of the museum had started. When the restoration work of the museum got completed, all the items that belonged to the museum were replaced personally by Sri Arunendu Banerjee, consultant of the West Bengal Heritage Commission, who is an expert in restoration work of Rabindranath Tagore and also an authority on the great poet."
The release further stated that Banerjee had suggested that items in proper condition be displayed instead of the damaged ones. The consultant had also brought more than 200 items and replicas, including photographs from Shantiniketan for display.
"The old and damaged photocopies which were in the museum before the restoration work are kept in safe custody of the Directorate. Items have not been found missing or stolen from the Rabindra Museum in Mungpoo upon enquiry," stated the release. "Anyone can come and check the items that were reported missing and are available at the Directorate in Mungpoo, Darjeeling," stated Samuel Rai, the director.
The bard had visited Mungpoo a number of times. In Mungpoo, Tagore used to stay in the house of Manmohan Sen (Husband of Maitreyi Devi), who was the chief chemist of the cinchona plantation.
In 1944, the house was converted into a "Rabindra Smrity-bhavan." Later in 2009, the building was renovated and converted into a "Rabindra Museum." The museum was under renovation by the West Bengal State Heritage Commission. The Tourism department had allotted Rs 3 crore for the same.
