Maharana Pratap Jayanti Celebrations
Following tradition Maharana Pratap Jayanti was celebrated this year in the Rai Angan, The City Palace Museum, Udaipur on the 15th June.

Maharana Pratap's coloured sculpture was decorated with flowers and put out on an open litter in Nikka Ki Chopad, along with all his weapons, Sword, Patta, Shield, Spear, Bow and Arrow, Gun and body armour. The Palace was illuminated for the two nights of celebration on 14th and 15th June. All visitors to the Museum were given a Key Chain as a Souvenir and Prasad (Sweets blessed from the temple) were distributed to all.

Sculpture of Maharana Pratap decorated
and put on open litter on the occasion of
Maharana Pratap Jayanti

Seminar on 'Rainwater Harvesting: It's Time to get Smart'
The Confederation of Indian Industry, Jaipur and CII Water Institute, Jaipur organized a seminar on 'Rainwater Harvesting: It's Time to get Smart' on the 17th June. The seminar's objective was to provide an insight into various aspects relating to rainwater harvesting. Specifically delegates discussed design and basic construction, installation, operation and maintenance of harvesting structures for various sectors including industry and domestic institutions. Over 80 delegates participated in the programme. Mr. Arvind Mathur, Architectural Heritage Curator and Conservation Engineer, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation attended the seminar.

Mr. R. P. Jain, CEO, Jaipur Municipal Corporation addressing the seminar on Rain Water Harvesting

Regional conference and workshop
The Commonwealth Association of Museums held a five-day regional conference and workshop from 1st to 5th June in Mumbai. Held for the first time in India, the CAM conference was attended by 107 delegates from 15 nations. Titled 'Rethinking Museums', the primary venue was the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay (formerly the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India). The objective was to encourage dialogue between practitioners in the museum industry from across the Commonwealth and to share ideas and ways of working, especially with regard to the significance of museums in relation to their communities and their role in today's changing world. Despite the rich material heritage and culture represented by museums, many struggle to attract visitors. The need for innovation is pressing and the conference hoped that participants would learn from those who succeed.

Topics covered included audience development and methods of collaboration with diverse communities to create innovative and interesting exhibits and to develop educational programmes, for both in-house and outreach format which also tackle important social issues. The conference included formal lectures and presentations, supplementary sessions at other museums and similar institutions, site visits, and interactive sessions amongst delegates. Ms. Mrinalini Venkateswaran, Project Manager, Eka Cultural Resources & Research, New Delhi as a resource person of Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur gave a presentation on work being undertaken at the City Palace Museum, Udaipur. Brochures on the Museum and the photographic exhibition at the Bhagwat Prakash Gallery, were distributed and generated further interest.

The conference was organised by the Commonwealth Association of Museums; Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya and National Council of Science Museums (Ministry of Culture, Govt of India).

Delegates of the regional conference and workshop
organised by commonwealth association of museums