Paper Museum
“No work is complete without paper work being done!” goes the age old saying which indicate the important role the paper plays in our day to day life. Infact the percapita consumption of paper of a country is a reflection of its progress and development. Paper is a versatile material with many uses. Whilst the most common is for writing and printing, it is also widely used as a packaging material for a range of products , in cleaning products and various industrial & construction process.
Our day begins with morning news paper and during the whole day almost all of us use paper currency or paper products a number of times , the general public lack awareness as such about the paper making process ,the efforts involved and the environmental implications. Further in promoting its mission for cleaner production , resource conservation , quality improvement,. CPPRI felt the need to create an awareness among the general public specially the school & college students for judicious use of paper and recycling of paper.
With this perspective, this museum has been set up to show case the history , growth and development of Indian paper industry over the years , paper making process , raw material used and use of paper in our daily life.
Paper Museum, a first of its kind in India was set up to commemorate CPPRI’s 30th Foundation Day on 11th November 2009 . The museum was inaugurated by Mrs Renu Sharma, IAS , the then Joint Secretary, DIPP, Ministry of Commerce & Industry , Govt of India .
The museum showcases the history of paper making, different types of raw materials used for paper making, different grades of paper including some special grades like mica paper , currency paper , etc , different applications and use of paper in daily life , art and craft related to paper including paper machie and origami etc.
The museum also displays the various process involved in paper making in simple and easy to understand way. Rare exhibits like bhojpatra , paper made from papyrus, manuscripts made from hemp fiber and rare photographs of various inventors, scientist and technologists who contributed in the developing the modern paper making process. The museum also houses a photo gallery displaying rare photographs of ancient paper making etc.
The museum has been visited by a number of school / college children , academicians, mill personnel , technocrats and bureaucrats etc from India & abroad . The Museum has also featured in a documentary prepared by Rajya Sabha TV
The paper has a long history dating back to 3000 BC when Egyptians made a writing material from beaten strips of marsh grass “Cyperous Papyrus” The word “paper” derives from the Greek term for papyrus plants. The paper making process was further refined by T’sai Lun of China in 105 AD .The use of paper spread from China through the Islamic world, and entered in Europe in the early 12th century. In India , In India, the first paper industry was developed in Kashmir, established by Sultan Zainul Abedin (Shahi Khan) of Kashmir in 1417-67 AD.( Ref : Tarikh –i Kashmir). Interestingly the word “ Kagaj & Kagaz” comes from a Sanskrit word Kakri /Kagad which is equivalent to Chinese word tche for paper. The first mechanized paper mill was established in 1812 at Sorampur,West Bengal......More such interesting facts about history of paper making are displayed at CPPRI Paper Museum.
The museum is in process of evolution. Suggestions and contributions to add on to the museum are always welcome. CPPRI requests the paper industry, associations, technology & equipment suppliers and general public to donate exhibits , models , paper products, photographs, old process equipments of historical importance to the museum which shall be duly acknowleged . For any suggestion or contribution communication may be addressed to :
Director
Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute
Paper Mill Road,Saharanpur -247001 (U.P.) INDIA
(Phone ) : +91-132-2714050 (Direct)59/61/62 Ext 202
Email : director.cppri@gmail.com,
Dr Nitin Endlay
Scientist E-II, Environmental Management Div and, Incharge
CPPRI Paper Museum, Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute,
Paper Mill Road, Saharanpur -247001 (U.P.) India
(M) + 91-9897602912,(O) + 91-132-2714061/62 Ext 253
Email : endlays@yahoo.co.in
Visitor Photo Gallery
