One for the “Har Ghar Museum” initiative and another for the “Waste to Art” publication

The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an organisation under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has received two prestigious PRSI National Awards 2025 from the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI). The honours include one award for the Har Ghar Museum initiative in the Best Use of Social Media in a Corporate Campaign category, and another for the “Waste to Art” publication under the Special/Prestige Publication category.

The awards were presented at the 47th All India Public Relations Conference, organised by PRSI from 13 to 15 December 2025 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on the theme “Empowering Growth, Preserving Roots – The PR Vision for 2047.” The conference saw participation from senior policymakers, communication professionals, industry leaders, and academicians from across the country. On behalf of NCSM, the awards were received by Shri Rajib Nath, Director (Hqrs.), and Shri Satyajit N. Singh, PRO, NCSM.

Award Categories and Recognition: NCSM received recognition in the following categories:

1. PRSI National Award in Special/Prestige Publication Category

NCSM received the second prize for its publication “Waste to Art,” which documents its initiatives to encourage the public to create art from waste materials. The publication showcases artworks developed from discarded materials across various NCSM units and highlights workshops conducted for underprivileged and school children throughout India. It also features selected entries from the Waste to Art competitions, reflecting a nationwide effort to promote creative sustainability by blending environmental awareness with public engagement.

The PRSI National Award in the Special/Prestige Publication Category for “Waste to Art” book was presented by Dr. Naresh Bansal, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), on the first day of the conference. Earlier, the conference was inaugurated by Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

2. PRSI National Award in Best Use of Social Media in a Corporate Campaign

NCSM received the second prize for its Har Ghar Museum campaign, a citizen-centric digital initiative promoting heritage preservation and public participation. The award was presented on the second day of the conference by Smt. Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, Hon’ble Speaker, Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, and Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Former Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and Former Union Cabinet Minister for Education, Government of India.

Inspired by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Har Ghar Museum campaign encourages citizens to share photographs, videos, and stories of heirlooms, artefacts, and personal collections, creating a digital archive of India’s living heritage. The initiative has engaged over 1 million viewers, garnered more than 10 million views across social media platforms, and received 150+ curated entries, reflecting strong public participation and impactful digital outreach.

“Receiving two prestigious PRSI National Awards for our initiatives is truly heart-warming. NCSM remains committed to aligning its creative endeavours with government policies while actively engaging people across the country. During the International Museum Expo 2023, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of preserving household heritage for future generations, which inspired us to launch the Har Ghar Museum campaign as a platform for individual collectors and to nurture a culture of preservation.

In addition, in the spirit of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Special Campaign 4.0, we initiated the Waste to Art campaign, transforming discarded materials into meaningful art and conducting workshops for underprivileged and school children, along with a national competition documented in a publication. These awards motivate us to strengthen our efforts and do even more in the future,” said Shri A. D. Choudhury, Director General, NCSM.

“Winning two PRSI National Awards is a proud moment for NCSM and a strong validation of our people-centric communication initiatives,” said Shri Anurag Kumar, Deputy Director General, NCSM.

The PRSI National Awards are among India’s most prestigious recognitions in public relations and corporate communication, honouring excellence in creativity, credibility, and social impact. Judged by a distinguished national jury of senior government officials, media professionals, and communication experts, the awards are presented at PRSI’s flagship annual conference.

Additional Note to Media

About the “Waste to Art” Publication

The “Waste to Art” publication documents a flagship initiative of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) launched under Special Campaign 4.0 and Swachhata Hi Sewa, capturing the powerful intersection of creativity, sustainability, and public participation. Through compelling visuals and narratives, the publication showcases how approximately 1,250 kg of waste—including metal scrap, electronic components, and discarded containers—was transformed across NCSM units nationwide into meaningful art installations that also functioned as educational exhibits promoting circular economy principles. The publication further highlights hands-on workshops and national-level competitions that engaged students and communities, with selected artworks amplified through NCSM’s social media platforms, reflecting the initiative’s extensive digital reach and its success in inspiring eco-conscious thinking and creative reuse.

About Har Ghar Museum Campaign

Inspired by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Har Ghar Museum campaign was launched by the National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with the belief that every home preserves a fragment of India’s living history—be it an heirloom, artefact, antique, or unique collectible. The nationwide initiative encourages individuals and families to share photographs, videos, and stories of their personal collections, creating a growing digital archive of everyday objects that carry cultural, historical, and emotional value. Through systematic documentation involving images, narratives, and interactions with collectors, the campaign brings people’s histories into the national cultural narrative, fosters curiosity and discovery, and strengthens awareness about the importance of preservation—one home at a time. The award recognises the campaign’s impactful digital engagement and its success in connecting collectors, communities, and heritage enthusiasts across the country. The initiative has till date recorded over 1 million viewers engaged through social media, achieved more than 10 million views across platforms, and received over 150 curated entries, reflecting strong public participation and impactful digital outreach.

About NCSM

National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is dedicated to communicating science to empower people through a nationwide network of science museums and centres, Mobile Science Exhibition (MSE) units, and a wide range of educational activities for students and the general public. With 26 science centres and museums under its management, NCSM is the world’s largest network of science museums and centres functioning under a single administrative umbrella, reaching nearly 15 million people annually. Its Innovation Hubs further foster creativity and scientific temper among young learners across the country.