Assam CM To Sign MoU With British Museum To Bring Back Vrindavani Vastra - Northeast Today

Guwahati, Nov 17: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British Museum to bring the sacred 16th-century Vrindavani Vastra back to Assam under a loan arrangement. The textile, which depicts the ten incarnations of Lord Krishna and scenes from his childhood, is currently housed in the British Museum. Speaking on the initiative, Sarma said it reflects the government’s focus on both development and cultural heritage, stating that “Vikas” (progress) and “Virasat” (heritage) remain key pillars of governance. On his first day in London, the Chief Minister visited the city’s waterfront to explore global best practices for transforming Guwahati’s riverfront and met members of the Indian diaspora. Describing the Vrindavani Vastra as a “timeless masterpiece woven with devotion and the spirit of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev,” Sarma emphasized that the sacred textile brings Vaishnava culture alive through divine craftsmanship. “Our government has begun the process to bring this historic treasure back to Assam, where it truly belongs,” he said in a post on X, adding that the MoU will be formally signed on Tuesday, calling it “a big day for Assam and Bharat.” The British Museum has agreed to loan the textile for 18 months in 2027, provided Assam constructs a museum meeting international environmental standards. The state government has already allotted land for the project, and the JSW Group will construct the museum under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. British Museum Director Dr. Nicholas Cullinan OBE expressed the institution’s support for the initiative, highlighting its commitment to honouring Assam’s rich textile tradition.