The Government Museum, Chennai celebrated its 151^stAnniversary held on Thursday the 19^thJune 2003 at 10.00 am at the Museum Theatre, Chennai. Dr.R. Kannan, Ph.D., I.A.S., Commissioner of Agriculture and Museums welcomed the gathering and read the “Report on the activities of the museum with special reference to the celebrations to mark the completion of 151 years”.The Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Selvi J Jayalalithaa released the Publications and Video Compact Discs (VCDs) brought out by the museum and addressed the audience. His Excellency, Thiru P.S. Ramamohan Rao, Governor of Tamil Nadu received the first copies of the publications and V.C.Ds brought out by the museum and delivered his address on the occasion.

His Excellency, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, unveiled the Commemorative Plaque, inaugurated the new and reorganized Galleries, such as the "Exposition of Industries and Handicrafts of Tamil Nadu", Science park behind Children's Museum, Bronze and Numismatics Galleries. He praised the work done by the museum staff and the Commissioner by name on more than one occasion. He wanted to have a look at the original palm leaf manuscripts of the Tirukkural. He stated that he had seen the Web Site of the museum from 2000 Hours to 2200 Hours during his plane journey from Delhi to Chennai, the previous day on 18-6-2003. He profusely complimented the Commissioner and the staff for the enormous work done on the Web Site and also the refurbishment of the galleries and the renovation work done on the buildings. The President released the Souvenir published to celebrate the completion of 151 years of the Government Museum, Chennai and delivered the Commemoration address. Thiru P.A. Ramiah, I.A.S., Secretary Department of Tamil Development -Culture & Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Government of Tamil Nadu proposed the vote of thanks

Some vignettes

Two days at night 21.30 Hours, there was a surprise for the Commissioner who was about to leave for home after having a final look for the day of how the work on the galleries was going on. The Commissioner, Dr. R. Kannan was surprised to receive a phone call from the President himself, who was directly on the line. His Excellency quizzed Dr. Kannan on all aspects of the work done at the museum for the 151^st Anniversary; and various aspects of archaeology and temple architecture for more than an hour.

At the end of the function, the President took an impromptu tour of the Bronze Gallery accompanied by the Governor and the commissioner. The great man recognised Thiru. K. Lakshminarayanan, his old friend, whom he met after several years. He took a photograph of himself with his personal camera along with the display of the Nataraja in the Cosmos in the gallery (in front of it). He sent it to the commissioner after the function based on his request sent by e-mail.

When he left we all felt that a truly great man - a man of great learning and great simplicity had graced as chief guest an oldinstitution known throughout the world. We all felt richer not in monetary terms but in terms of what words cannot describe - the nearest word would be

The Government Museum, Chennai reached international standards in display and publications in 2003. The epilogue of the 151^st  Anniversary Celebrations was the National Seminar on ‘Present Trends in Museology’ to chart out the road map of where the museum goes from its then status. Summary of the Proceedings of the National Seminar on ‘Present Trends in Museology’ delivered by Dr .R. Kannan, Ph.D., I.A.S., Commissioner of Agriculture and Commissioner of Museums on 4-12-2003 at 16.00 Hours.

At the valedictory function, in his speech, Thiru. S.Ramakrishnan, I.A.S., Secretary, Food and Co-operation, Government of Tamil Nadu, made some important suggestions. They have been implemented in varying degrees already.

This was the last function attended by Thiru K.Lakshminarayanan before his retirement on 31-5-2004 was the Symposium on Intangible Heritage which was presided over by Dr.R.Kannan, I.A.S., Agriculture Production Commissioner, Secretary Agriculture & Commissioner of Museums, Government of Tamil Nadu. On the stage itself, the Commissioner found out that he was unwell and sent for medical treatment just after the function was over. Thiru K.Ramamurthy, IAS (retired), former Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa was the chief guest. Earlier a seminar on ‘Conservation of Cultural Property’ was held on 30.6.1999.; ‘Our Role in Protecting cultural Heritage’ for which a seminar had been held on 22-3- 2001 at the Museum Theatre in connection with inauguration of the Government Museum, Virudhunagar A book in Tamil on the temples of Virudhunagar written by Thiru K.Laksminarayanan was released on the occasion.  Intangible Property Rights for which a seminar had been held on 19.6.2000 to 20.6.2000. were again discussed at the seminar. in the context of the World Trade Organisation that had come into being. The registering of the Nataraja etc as the intellectual cultural property of the museum to prevent their commercial misuse was discussed.

The coach, presented to the Museum, was in a dilapidated condition for 50 years from 1956 AD. It was refurbished and displayed by the effort taken by the Commissioner of Museums, Dr. R. Kannan, Ph.D., I.A.S., in the Exposition of Industries and Handicrafts of Tamil Nadu. Similar materials have been used for replacing the leather upholstery and the wooden body in navy blue colour. For other parts appropriate materials have been used for restoring this coach in scientific manner. This was the last work done by him before he gave up charge on 19th June 2004

The then Governor of composite Madras State, the Maharaja of Bhavnagar used this coach for his State drives till 1952. During the celebrations of Independence Day of the year 1956 held in Chennai, a similar coach (probably the second coach) was used by the President Dr. Rajendra Prasad during his State drive to the Island Grounds to witness the militaryparade. This was the only occasion when this function was held outside Delhi with the President attending it. Even in 1953, an interesting report was published about this Coach in the Weekly Mail {(Saturday the 25^th April) (now ceased publication)} which expressed concern about preserving this historic coach. The Governors of the erstwhile British Government for ceremonial functions used this four-wheeled, four-seater coach.