Man preserves 35,000 antiques across 35 categories | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: In a quiet corner of Bolagarh in Odisha’s Khurda district, 86-year-old Akshay Pattanaik built a unique museum showcasing over 35,000 antiques across 35 categories. His collection, spanning more than five decades, offers a glimpse into the evolution of science and technology — from 200-year-old palm leaf manuscripts to 150-year-old typewriters, gramophones, radios, telephones, cameras, petromax lights to refrigerators.
However, despite his relentless efforts, Patnaik now finds himself struggling to sustain his passion. After storing the artefacts at his home and later in a rented space, he recently shifted them to a govt building — one without electricity or security.
“I spent my life collecting these priceless items, investing more than Rs 1 crore in this museum. But without proper infrastructure and govt support, preserving them has become an uphill battle,” Pattanaik, a mechanical engineer-turned-social worker told TOI.
“The objective of this museum is to educate the next generation about the evolution of science and technology. But in the absence of resources, I fear the collection may not survive,” he said.
Pattanaik has urged the state govts to introduce a museum and library policy to support private collectors like him. “There are many individuals across the state who have preserved history with their personal collections. The govt must recognise these efforts and provide financial and infrastructural support,” he added.
Despite several attempts, senior authorities from the department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture could not be contacted for comment.
However, despite his relentless efforts, Patnaik now finds himself struggling to sustain his passion. After storing the artefacts at his home and later in a rented space, he recently shifted them to a govt building — one without electricity or security.
“I spent my life collecting these priceless items, investing more than Rs 1 crore in this museum. But without proper infrastructure and govt support, preserving them has become an uphill battle,” Pattanaik, a mechanical engineer-turned-social worker told TOI.
“The objective of this museum is to educate the next generation about the evolution of science and technology. But in the absence of resources, I fear the collection may not survive,” he said.
Pattanaik has urged the state govts to introduce a museum and library policy to support private collectors like him. “There are many individuals across the state who have preserved history with their personal collections. The govt must recognise these efforts and provide financial and infrastructural support,” he added.
Despite several attempts, senior authorities from the department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture could not be contacted for comment.
