Asia's only ethnological museum under the archaeology department is located in Agrabad of Chattogram. Although this traditional museum was established in 1965, it is said to be largely neglected and hidden from the public eye due to lack of proper publicity.
Recently Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and the new Director General of the Directorate of Archaeology Chandan Kumar Dey is serving.
On November 22, a day-long meeting called 'Future Planning of the Directorate of Archaeology' was held with all the senior officers and employees across the country. There the Director General requested all Regional Directors and other responsible officers to prepare short, medium and long term action plans. Accordingly, a draft action plan for the future development of the traditional ethnological museum was sent to the Director General of Archaeology and requested to visit the actual condition of the ethnological museum.
The new Director General of the Directorate of Archaeology Chandan Kumar Dey visited the museum on Saturday. He visited every gallery of the museum and 11 rooms containing giant anthropomorphic artefacts. Established in 1965, this historic ethnological museum is in dire need of renovation as many areas of its infrastructure have been destroyed.
He assured that within the next six months, he will take some initiatives for the development of the said museum and provide all necessary support.
Museum Officer-in-Charge Dr Ataur Rahman, Ethnological Museum Assistant Custodian Abu Bakar Siddique, Office Assistant Alokesh Roy, Accounts Keeper Ankhi Das, Electrician Masum Howladar, Museum Attendant Minti Barua, Faruq Ahmed, Ruhul Amin, Tanu Chakma were present during the visit.