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Article135.png”” alt=””Article135″” />Several memories lay in a shambles as a massive blaze swept through the floors of the iconic National Museum of Natural History in the heart of India’s national Capital. If you grew up in Delhi, chances are you have at least one photo of yourself as a child posing in front of the giant dinosaur statue in the lawns of National Museum of Natural History. Now the dinosaur is perhaps the only stark remnant of the 38-year of institution gutted in a massive fire. The fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday in the museum located in FICCI building at Mandi House in Central Delhi, where some repair work was underway. The fire quickly spread to all other floors of the building and could be brought under control by the firefighters after a four-hour long battle. The museum had been conceptualised by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1972. Its collection included 160 million year old fossile bone of a Sauropod, ostrich bird egss, preserved butterflies, stuffed animal and birds, herpetological specimens and dioramas.

An Indian rhino have been a visible crowd puller at the museum especially for children during the summer vacation months. The nostalgia found echo in numerous tweets, blogs put out by many, who used to frequent the place during the 80s and 90s. “”It is indeed a tragic incident. Loss of collection is losing a vital piece of history. Natural history collections are invaluable piece of scientific knowledge. It just highlights the value of taking utmost care of such a treasure trove,”” Deepak Apte, Director of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) said.

“”It is a matter of deep sorrow and anguish that a fire has gutted the entire museum of natural history. It used to be quite a popular among children. Even I frequented the place both as a father and as an environment minister, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted.”