Nehru Children’s Museum seeks help from govt to stay afloat after Aug 16
Times of India | 23 July 2026
Kolkata: A one-of-its kind museum on dolls that has enthralled nearly 2 crore visitors over the last 53 years has reached out to the govt and non-govt sectors to stay afloat. The Nehru Children’s Museum authorities have appealed to CM Suvendu Adhikari and his cabinet colleagues, urging the state to take over the facility so that the legacy of this unique museum lives on.
A combination of factors, ranging from substantial funding required for upgrade to a sharp slide in footfall, has pushed the museum near Exide crossing to the brink of closure. Built on land leased by Bengal govt for 99 years from Dec 22, 1966, the museum was established by the National Cultural Association and inaugurated on Nov 14, 1972, under Jugal Srimal, who visualised and conceptualised the museum and was its founder-director.
Among the major attractions of the museum is the narration of ‘The Ramayana’ and ‘The Mahabharata’ through clay figurines. lt also has a Ganesh gallery with over 300 idols and over 1,100 costumed dolls from 96 countries. The cultural association also operates dance, painting, recitation and drama classes for 900 children, and gives financial assistance of Rs 2,400 each to 265 children with disabilities.
Sudip Srimal (83), director of the museum and son of founder, said, “We have been advised to upgrade the fire safety norms of the premises, which will require an expenditure of Rs 50 lakh. It is not possible for us to bear the cost. Keeping in mind the safety of 900 children, we have suspended the classes. We have written to the CM and other state ministers for the takeover. I am also open to an NGO running the museum.”
Srimal prays the unique institution lives on. “We are not in a position to run it. If we do not receive any feedback, and if alternative arrangements are not made, the museum will shut down on Aug 16. We have some pre-scheduled commitments and programmes, which will be fulfilled before the closure,” he said.
In the letter, he has also requested the govt to provide him with a grant so they can start work without delay. “The officer in charge of Kalighat fire station reached out to me and said they are inspecting the situation,” he added.
In the initial years of the museum, the annual footfall was 30 lakh. It gradually stabilised at 15-16 lakh per year in the first couple of decades. By the turn of the century, the count dipped to 5 lakh a year. Before Covid, the museum was attracting 2 lakh footfall a year. The pandemic dealt a blow when the museum was shut for two years. It has now managed to revive footfall — 1 lakh last year. In winter, the count goes up to 50,000 while in summer, it is around 1,000. The entry fee is Rs 20 for adults, Rs 10 for children, and Rs 5 if schools bring the kids.
Pratiti Homchowdhury, who had come with her five-year-old daughter Emily, said, “I came here with my mother when I was Emily’s age. I have visited the museum several times during my childhood. . This is the first time that I have brought Emily here.”