Kolkata: The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) has adopted advanced technologies like radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, sensors capable of reading hand gestures, acoustically designed hallways and sound concentrators to make the Museum of Word.Also known as Shabdalok, the facility will be inaugurated at the National Library by Union home minister, Amit Shah, on Sunday.CM Suvendu Adhikari and Union culture minister, Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, will also attend the inauguration.“The objective behind establishing the museum was to bring India’s rich traditions of oral and written knowledge before contemporary society. It aims to showcase the spirit of “unity in diversity” reflected through India’s numerous languages and dialects, while familiarising children with the country’s thousands of years of literary heritage, the history of its ancient writing traditions, and the works of its eminent authors,” said former National Library director-general Ajay Pratap Singh.A content review committee was formed comprising some of the most distinguished scholars, including Padma Shri Chamu Krishna Shastry, chairman of the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, and professor Kumud Sharma, vice-president of the Sahitya Akademi,” he added.“Through projection and hand gesture sensing, the act of virtually flipping pages is more real. There were also major sound issues. We have introduced sound concentrators at 14 exhibits,” said acting director general of NCSM — the body that was involved in making it digitally interactive — K Murali.Former NCSM deputy director general Anurag Kumar, who oversaw the interventions at the Museum of Word, recounted the introduction of a holographic stage where visitors get to understand communication and ‘navrasa’ through various dance forms in India.
