MAI Annual International Conference on: ‘Community & Sectarian Identities; Their Representations in Museums: The Global Scenario’ - 2025-26

The 78^th Annual International Conference of Museums Association of India (MAI) was successfully held on 81^st glorious year of Indian Museums Association, at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The conference took place from November 7^th to November 9^th, 2025. The Theme of the conference was - ‘Community & Sectarian Identities; Their Representations in Museums: The Global Scenario’.

The inaugural function of the International Conference 2025, organized by the Museums Association of India in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), was held on 7^th November 2025 at the Amphitheatre, Veethi Sankul Bhawan, Bhopal. The grand ceremony began with the arrival of the Chief Guest, Prof. K. K. Basa, Former Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, along with other distinguished dignitaries, delegates, and participants from across the country and abroad.

The inaugural lamp was lit by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries, marking the auspicious beginning of the conference. Prof. Amitabh Pandey, Director, IGRMS, extended a heartfelt welcome to all guests and highlighted the importance of hosting such a global academic dialogue at the museum. Shri Rajesh Prasad, Secretary, MAI, gave the introductory address, while Dr. Anand Burdhan, President, MAI, elaborated on the central theme, emphasizing the role of museums in representing community and sectarian identities in today’s multicultural world.

A special highlight of the function was the release of three prestigious publications — Journal of Indian Museums (Vol. 76), Mapping Museums – Vol. I, and Museum & its Educational Significance — by the Hon’ble Chief Guest. The ceremony also included the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to Dr. Neeru Misra, Academic Advisor, B.L. Institute of Indology, and Shri Anurag Kumar, Deputy Director General, NCSM, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for their outstanding contributions to the field of museology.

The Guest of Honour, Dr. H. Lucy Guest, and Chief Guest, Prof. K. K. Basa, addressed the gathering, appreciating the theme’s contemporary relevance and commending IGRMS for its pioneering role in cultural representation and preservation. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Surya Kumar Pandey, marking the end of a dignified and intellectually inspiring inaugural ceremony.

The inaugural session was followed by the first academic session after the lunch. There were five academic sessions conducted in the three day international conference. The international conference concluded with a valedictory session followed by an interesting excursion and cultural program. The event was hosted by IGRMS.

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Some glimpses of the conferences are as under: