NEW DELHI, Dec 20 — Prominent members of the Sikh community in the capital welcomed the internationally acclaimed Smithsonian Institution’s decision to set up a Sikh heritage museum in Washington and emphasised it should focus on its multi-hued tapestry as well as the Panth’s contribution in serving as a bridge with Islam.

At a meeting here last night welcoming Paul Michael Taylor, Director, Asian Cultural History Programme of the Smithsonian Museum, the Sikh intelligentsia underlined the imperative need to have an India chapter for a well-thought out coordinated effort.

Dr Taylor disclosed that a special area had already been earmarked for the proposed museum in the Smithsonian canvass which attracts six million visitors annually. The museum was in keeping with the Smithsonian Institution’s 154-year edict of increasing and diffusing knowledge.

He impressed upon the assemblage that the exercise connected with filling the space meant for the museum must be completed within a reasonable period of time. He drew pointed attention to the fact that there was an element of urgency as the space was not available indefinitely for the museum.

Dr Taylor said he was specially in this country to assimilate the views of the Sikh community so that there were no hiccups in setting up the museum in Washington.

Those who spoke and offered suggestions were emphatic that a core group should be formed immediately to work out the format of the museum which provided hands on perspective of Sikh history devoid of distortions and aberrations.

Several speakers said gurdwaras in various parts of the country possessed rare artefacts, manuscripts and other items which could be loaned to the museum in Washington. They feared that if these items of tremendous historic value were not protected after proper screening and evaluation by experts, they might just be junked in the marketplace at throwaway prices.

Internationally acclaimed painters Manjit Singh Bawa and Arpana Cour firmly believed that miniatures should form an essential part of the museum and offered a few of their prized collections straightaway. Similarly others at the gathering were readily forthcoming in rendering all assistance to Dr Taylor in his endeavour of showcasing Sikh history.

Raminder Singh Jassal, Joint Secretary (External Publicity) in the Ministry of External Affairs stressed that the museum should go beyond paintings and miniatures. He was of the opinion that the proposed museum should have a constant audio-visual presentation to provide a proper window on Sikhism. He wanted modern technology to be used for bringing out CD Roms as pictures alone would not suffice and help. The audio-visual should be structured in a manner that it brought alive Sikh history in its real form, he added.

National Commission for Minorities Vice-Chairman Tarlochan Singh, who chaired the meeting, has been a motivator in the efforts to bring to the fore Sikh community’s independent identity and its contribution at home and to the societies in the USA and the industrialised West.