### Ancient Civilizations from Thousands of Years Ago Exhibited

Udaipur,A remarkable exhibition on Ancient Urban Civilizations of the World has been curated by a thousand students and teachers of Vidya Bhavan Senior Secondary School after an extensive study of civilizations that existed between 5,000 to 7,000 years ago.

The exhibition was inaugurated on Saturday by Prof. S.S. Sarangdevot, Vice-Chancellor of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, and Dr. Jitendra Kumar Tayaliya, President of Vidya Bhavan.

At the entrance, visitors are greeted with depictions of Indus Valley script, while an Egyptian mummy in a greeting posture takes them back to the era of ancient Egypt. The exhibition also features Indus Valley Civilization tools, statues of a priest and a dancer, and pottery, offering glimpses into that era. The urban settlements, water management systems, and agricultural models from that period are also on display, transporting visitors to the past. Coins and seals have also been showcased, while Mohenjo-daro’s dance art and Harappan city planning leave visitors in awe.

A detailed representation of the Nile River has been crafted, along with Egyptian pyramids. Students have recreated Mesopotamian temples and inscribed the ancient script on clay tablets. Other exhibits include a stadium, an Archimedean screw, water lifting systems, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

The exhibition also provides significant insights into trade, culture, and social life in ancient civilizations. The Rajasthan Sahitya Sansthan has contributed by displaying authentic artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization.

During the inauguration, Prof. Sarangdevot highlighted that the urban development models, rural life, and socio-economic progress from thousands of years ago serve as valuable knowledge for building clean, well-planned, and progressive cities today. He emphasized that India's Indus Valley Civilization has not received the historical recognition it deserves, but with ongoing historical revisions, India's intellectual and civilizational glory is being restored. He also praised the efforts of students and teachers involved in the exhibition.

Dr. Jitendra Kumar Tayaliya, President of Vidya Bhavan Society, reiterated Vidya Bhavan’s commitment to holistic development, cultural values, and citizenship among students. He stated that themed exhibitions as part of the annual celebrations play a crucial role in this endeavor.

School Principal Pushparaj Ranawat explained that every two years, students and teachers from grades 1 to 12 engage in an in-depth study of a chosen theme as part of the annual project. They document their findings through charts, models, and paintings, complemented by cultural performances. This year's theme focused on ancient civilizations, and students were divided into four groups of 250 each, dedicated to Indus Valley Civilization, Egyptian Civilization, Mesopotamian Civilization, and Greek Civilization. The research spanned a month and was guided by archaeologists and experts from the archaeology department. The theme-based cultural performances are scheduled for February 2.

The event was attended by Shri Gopal Bamb, Honorary Secretary of Vidya Bhavan Society, Pushpa Sharma, President of Vidyabandhu Institution, Prof. Arun Chaturvedi, along with executive members of the Vidya Bhavan Committee, parents, academicians, and archaeologists. ( Anil  Mehta  )