New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS) Exhibitions give encouragement to tourism and help in spreading the message of Indian cultural heritage to the world, union Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said Friday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the exhibition of archaeological findings from Pattanam excavation of Kerala at the National Museum, Sharma said: “These kind of exhibitions help our children and youth to have an insight into our rich cultural heritage.”

“The excavations in Pattanam show that it was inhabited by people from different parts of the world who were engaged in the spice trade,” he said adding the excavation was a major development in understanding India’s early history.

“We have to inform our younger generation about our rich heritage and the excavation findings displayed at the exhibition offers a good opportunity to increase the awareness of our youth,” added the minister after inaugurating the exhibition “Unearthing Pattanam: Histories, Cultures, Crossing.”

Sharma said that the number of visitors to the country’s archaeological sites and museums are not very encouraging and all departments should work together to attract people to this kind of exhibitions.