India's linguistic diversity is rapidly diminishing, with many indigenous languages at risk of extinction. As International Mother Language Day is here, experts stress the urgent need to preserve these endangered languages. India, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, is home to over 1,600 languages, making it one of the world’s most linguistically diverse nations. However, this linguistic mosaic is rapidly shrinking, with many indigenous languages facing the threat of extinction. As the world celebrates International Mother Language Day, experts are raising urgent concerns about the need to preserve these endangered languages and protect India’s linguistic treasure. A report by the People’s Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) highlights that over 220 languages in India have already faced decline or have vanished since 1961, and many others are on the verge of extinction.

Decline of indigenous languages in India

In the past five decades, over 220 languages have experienced a dramatic decline, and according to a report by the United Nations, a language dies every two weeks globally. India is not immune to this crisis. Various indigenous languages, especially those spoken by tribal communities, are facing extinction as a result of reduced intergenerational transmission and cultural assimilation. Among these languages are some that once had a widespread presence but are now spoken only by a handful of elderly speakers. The survey by PLSI suggests that India’s linguistic diversity is rapidly being eroded, with languages such as Toda, Kusunda, Sentinelese, and Garo among those at risk. Sanketh Ramkrishnamurthy, is a strong advocate for the preservation of India’s diverse languages. Recognising the deep connection between language, culture, and identity, he emphasises the need to protect and promote the smaller, indigenous languages that are at risk of disappearing. “When we lose a language, we are not simply losing a set of words; we are losing entire worlds. Each language carries with it centuries of history, unique stories and valuable insights into the environment, health and culture of a community. These are not just relics of the past, but vital pieces of knowledge that could guide our future. The extinction of a language means the erosion of a community’s identity, and the wisdom it holds could be lost forever. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we don’t allow these treasures to fade away unnoticed,” Ramkrishnamurthy tells Media India Group. Ramkrishnamurthy emphasises the profound connection between language and culture, highlighting how languages serve as essential links between generations and communities. His words reflect the urgent need to protect smaller, indigenous languages, which are not just modes of communication but also repositories of a community’s heritage and wisdom. “Language is the bridge that connects generations, cultures, and the very essence of who we are. As we continue to prioritise major languages like Hindi and English, we risk erasing the diversity of voices that make up the fabric of India. Small tribal and regional languages are not just ways of speaking; they are the living testimonies of a community’s traditions, beliefs, and worldview. When these languages disappear, we lose something far greater than just a mode of communication we lose a rich tapestry of human experience that could help us better understand ourselves and the world around us,” he adds. Ramkrishnamurthy believes that the decline of these languages goes beyond mere communication, as it represents the loss of invaluable cultural heritage, wisdom, and identity that are essential for the future generations to understand their roots and heritage. “As I observe the growing dominance of English and major regional languages like Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali, I can’t help but feel concerned about the future of India’s smaller, indigenous languages. In today’s fast-paced world, people often view English as a gateway to success, and major regional languages are seen as more practical for communication. This mindset has led many parents to stop teaching their children their native tongue, thinking it is of little use,” he adds. According to Ramkrishnamurthy, the loss of these languages not only erases modes of communication but also destroys a vast cultural heritage that shapes the identity and wisdom of communities. “As people migrate from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities, they abandon their mother tongue in favour of the more widely spoken city languages, further contributing to the decline of these languages. Schools, which should be the custodians of culture, largely ignore indigenous languages, favouring English or major regional languages, thus neglecting to pass these languages onto the next generation. The prevalence of media in big languages, be it movies, TV shows, or social media content, only reinforces this trend, drawing young people away from their own languages. What is worse is that many of these languages lack a script, making it even more difficult to preserve them. When elders who speak these languages pass away, there is no means for younger generations to carry them forward. Intercaste and interlingual marriages, while helping to foster unity, also lead to the adoption of common languages like Hindi or English at home, further diminishing the use of native languages,” he adds. Ramkrishnamurthy emphasises the urgent need for government intervention in the preservation of India’s endangered languages. “With minimal government support for the preservation of endangered languages, it feels as though the battle to save them is being lost. We must act swiftly to reverse this trend, not only to protect the languages themselves but also to safeguard the invaluable wisdom, culture, and identity they carry,” he adds.

Tamil Nadu’s historic struggle against linguistic imposition

While languages across India are rapidly declining, Tamil Nadu has consistently been at the forefront of this battle, standing strong in its defence of linguistic rights. The state has consistently voiced its resistance to the imposition of Hindi, even in the face of pressure from the central government. “For the past 100 years, Tamil Nadu has been fighting against the imposition of Hindi, and this struggle continues today,” says Thangavel Manickam, Investment Finance and Property Legal Advisor at VSJ Associates, who is also an advocate for the preservation of India’s endangered tribal languages. “India’s fight for freedom against the British ended in 1947. However, the struggle against Hindi imposition began in 1937 and has taken different forms over the years. Today, it has reappeared as the National Education Policy, with the ruling BJP government pressuring Tamil Nadu to accept its policies in exchange for education funds. Tamil Nadu contributes money to the Union government, but now the Union government is demanding that Tamil Nadu follow its policies to receive funds. This is not new for Tamilians,” Manickam tells Media India Group. In July 1938, people walked from Trichy to Chennai in protest against Hindi. Many women also joined the movement. To stop the protests, leaders like Periyar and Anna were arrested. Periyar was jailed for 18 months, and Anna for 9 months. This is part of Tamil Nadu’s history, fighting against Hindi imposition to protect the Tamil language. Manickam highlights that India has over 1,500 languages, with the Constitution officially recognising 22 of them. However, the government continues to give special importance to Hindi, trying to force it upon non-Hindi speakers. This imposition has been a long-standing issue, dating back to the British colonial era, and it remains a challenge even today. Despite India’s linguistic diversity, the prioritisation of Hindi over regional languages marginalises the voices of millions who speak other native languages. This ongoing struggle for language equality is not just a political issue; it is a matter of preserving the rich cultural identities embedded in these languages. “Because of this, I have the right to speak about language issues and to stand up for endangered languages in India. The government considers a language official if at least 10,000 people speak it. In the 1961 census, 1,652 languages were recorded,” Manickam adds. “In states like Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala, Punjab, Odisha, Assam, and West Bengal, many people now speak Hindi more fluently than their own mother tongue. Hindi has mixed with their languages so much that it cannot be separated. Because of this, languages like Bhojpuri, Magahi, and Maithili in Bihar are now spoken only by small groups and are close to disappearing. This is not just in Bihar, more than 15 states in North India now primarily use Hindi. Instead of English, they use Hindi for communication, which is slowly replacing their native languages,” he adds. Manickam points out that languages like Bengali, Odia, Marathi, Gujarati, Marwari, Punjabi, Assamese, and Kashmiri have deeply mixed with Hindi over the years. Many northern languages such as Maithili, Awadhi, Virasha, Malavi, Kurukshetra, Sauraseni, and Apabhramsa have also blended with Hindi, while older languages like Pali and Sanskrit have completely disappeared. In the Northeast, the Andaman Islands, and the Himalayan regions, some languages are now spoken by fewer than 100 people. For instance, only five people speak the Great Andamanese language today, highlighting the rapid decline of once-thriving languages across the nation. Manickam emphasises that this loss is not just a matter of language; it represents the erasure of invaluable cultural heritage. “In Tamil Nadu, some tribal languages in the Nilgiris district are at risk. These include Thoda, spoken by 1,006 people as per the 1981 census, Koda, by around 2,000 people in 1992, Kuruba spoken by over 14,000 people in 2001, and Koraga by over 16,000 people in 1981. The Toda community mainly speaks Thoda. The Badaga language, spoken by another tribal group, is doing better, with over 100,000 speakers in 2001,” he adds. Manickam emphasises that a person’s mother tongue is shaped by a complex interplay of government policies, religion, and ethnicity. He observes that when those in power belong to a particular language group, there is often an attempt to suppress or eliminate other languages. He further asserts that languages and their scripts are integral to a society’s history. Forcing people to abandon their native languages for a single imposed language is not only unfair but also a form of cultural erasure. “Languages are a natural gift and to destroy them is to destroy a piece of our very identity and heritage and a mother and a mother tongue are like divine guides. History has shown that those who try to destroy them will eventually disappear,” Manickam adds.

https://mediaindia.eu/society/indias-linguistic-heritage-faces-extinction/, February 21, 2025

The ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing has launched a fresh exploration exercise off the coast of Gujarat at Dwarka, believed to be Lord Krishna's legendary city. The renewed attempt, after two decades, is to study and preserve cultural heritage in the depths of the Arabian Sea. Almost two decades after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carried out excavations at Dwarka, a team of the ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) has dived into the sea off the Gujarat coast, aiming to unravel the mysteries of a 4,000-year-old planned city. This is part of the ASI's mission to study and protect India's rich underwater cultural heritage. The submerged ancient city of Dwarka, which has been a subject of both curiosity and mystery, is regarded as Krishna's karmabhoomi or 'land of action', according to Hindu mythology. The commencement of exploration at Dwarka and Bet Dwarka (an island off the coast of Okha) comes two decades after the last excavations were carried out between 2005 and 2007. This groundbreaking underwater exploration, led by the ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing, also marks the revival of the wing for the mission to unearth the mysteries of material remains of the submerged city, believed to be around 4,000-years old.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS DIVE INTO SEA TO EXPLORE SUBMERGED DWARKA

A team of five ASI archaeologists led by Additional Director-General (Archaeology) Professor Alok Tripathi, started underwater explorations off the coast of Dwarka, said a press release by the Ministry of Culture on Tuesday. The Tripathi-led team, which for the first time includes a significant number of women archaeologists like Aparajita Sharma, Poonam Vind, and Rajkumari Barbina has selected an area near Gomati Creek for initial investigations. The ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW), which has revived offshore surveys and investigations in Dwarka and Bet Dwarka, has been at the forefront of marine archaeological research in India since the 1980s. Since its inception, the UAW has explored and researched several archaeological and ecological sites across India, including Lakshadweep's Bangaram Island, Tamil Nadu's Mahabalipuram, Gujarat's Dwarka, Manipur's Loktak Lake, and Elephanta Island off the coast of Mumbai in Maharashtra. The last offshore and onshore excavations at Dwarka by the ASI's UAW were conducted between 2005 and 2007.

THE MYTHOLOGY OF DWARKA

Dwarka, one of Hinduism's Sapt Puris, is believed to have been reclaimed from the sea by Lord Krishna after moving from Mathura to Gujarat. According to legends, the city submerged into the Arabian Sea as Krishna departed, ushering in the Kali Yuga. Dwarka's connection to faith was highlighted by PM Narendra Modi during his visit to the Dwarkadhish Temple in February 2024. He shared images of himself underwater, clad in scuba gear, as he explored and prayed in the legendary "lost city" of Lord Krishna. "I went deep in the sea and did 'Darshan' of the ancient Dwarka city. Archaeologists have written a lot about Dwarka city hidden underwater. In our scriptures also, it is said about Dwarka that it was a city with beautiful gates and tall buildings, as tall as the top of the world. Lord Krishna himself constructed this city," PM Modi said as he addressed a rally after the Dwarka Darshan on February 25, 2024.

HOW ARCHAEOLOGY OF DWARKA CONNECTS MYTH AND REALITY

Based on the scriptures, many argue that the submerged structures could be natural formations or that the dating of artefacts might not conclusively place them within the Mahabharata's timeframe. However, there remains a vast trove to uncover and an ocean of knowledge to explore, with efforts dating back to the early days. The journey to uncover Dwarka's submerged mysteries began in the 1930s with Hiranand Shastri, followed by the first major excavation in 1963, led by JM Nanavati and HD Sankalia. Further excavations, undertaken by marine archaeologists, unveiled a plethora of ancient artefacts and the submerged remnants of the ancient Dwarka. Between 1983 and 1990, archaeologists unearthed many such secrets, including a fortified foundation, stone blocks, pillars, stone anchors and irrigation streams, upon which the ancient city walls of Dwarka likely stood, according to UNESCO. 'Dwarka', which translates to a 'gate' in Sanskrit, has been the gateway to India, which acted as an important centre of trade between India and West Asia. "The onshore explorations of 1969-70 [in Dwarka] brought to light numerous potsherds of periods ranging from the Late Harappan to the Medieval period. Extensive onshore and offshore exploration by NIO, Goa have yielded similar results," according to a National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) study in 2003. "Several ancient habitational sites were discovered in the coastal area of Bet Dwarka island during the last two decades of marine archaeological exploration. A large amount of protohistoric and historical pottery has also been collected from these sites," according to a National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) study by marine archaeologist AS Gaur. Ruminants of a fortification wall discovered along the banks of the Gomti, where archaeologists are exploring in the 1980s further affirmed the existence of a well planned city at the location which has traditionally been associated with Krishna's Dwarka. Recent offshore explorations brought to light numerous stone anchors of the Mediaeval period, a lead anchor and remains of amphorae of the early historic period, according to a 1998 study called 'Archaeology of Bet Dwarka', in the journal Man and Environment. According to archaeologist SR Rao, the archaeological evidence from the site of Dwarka, which is submerged, confirms the existence of a city-state, with a couple of satellite towns, dated around 1500 BC. However, "onshore and offshore explorations of Bet Dwarka Island have demonstrated a long cultural sequence beginning from the protohistoric period (2000 BC) to the modern period", said marine archaeologists AS Gaur and S Tripathi, in a 2000 paper 'Recent underwater explorations at Dwarka and surroundings of Okha Mandal'. The marine archaeologists also pointed to the importance of the location of Dwarka as a trading centre. Commenting on whether the archaeological site of Dwarka was the one that found mention in the Puranas and the Mahabharata, SR Rao opined that the antiquities and structures found at the site could be linked to the ones mentioned in our epics. "This discovery has turned myth into a reality," noted Rao. So, the underwater archaeological exploration at Dwarka aims to bridge the gap between mythology and history. With new material yields, the ASI aims to offer new insights into India's ancient past. As archaeologists dive deeper into the Arabian Sea, each discovery brings us closer to understanding the true legacy of Krishna’s legendary city.

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/archaeologists-dive-into-sea-for-4000-year-old-dwarka-krishnas-karmabhoomi-asi-underwater-archaeology-wing-2682865-2025-02-20, February 20, 2025

CEPT University in collaboration with Getty and INTACH, hosted expert lectures and a panel discussion on 'Modern Architecture as Heritage' on February 16, 2025 at BNB Hall on its campus. This discussion was held as the opening event of the in-person module of the training course 'Modern Architecture Conservation in India - 2025' offered by Getty and Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage (INTACH) in collaboration with CEPT University. The training program aims to foster an appreciation for the significance of modern architecture in India and the broader region along with equipping participants with the technical skills necessary for its conservation. Prof. Barjor Mehta, President, CEPT University delivered the inaugural address, highlighting the importance of these discussions. The event included talks by Susan Macdonald, Head, Buildings and Sites at Getty Conservation Institute; Kartikey Sarabhai, Director, CEE; and Miki Desai, Former Professor, CEPT University; followed by a panel discussion moderated by Kiran Joshi from ICOMOS. Susan Macdonald gave a historic overview of the field of conserving modern architecture as it has played out internationally. The focus of the following two talks were on India's modern architecture. Kartikeya Sarabhai presented the rich collection of modernism in Ahmedabad with personal and family anecdotes. Miki Desai presented stories of several modern buildings in Ahmedabad and in Gujarat, sharing some of his documentation work. The speakers collectively celebrated Indian modernism along with sharing the challenges of their conservation and ideas for ways ahead. The Getty team and Dr. Parul Munjal, Director of INTACH Heritage Academy said, "It is wonderful to start our one week conservation course in Ahmedabad with this event, which has brought together course participants, CEPT faculty and students, professionals of Ahmedabad from the fields of architecture and conservation, and citizens of the city." Adding to this, Dr. Parul Munjal said, "This opportunity to deliberate on the values of modern architecture and its conservation is most relevant for Ahmedabad that has a rich repertoire of modern buildings with their own associations and narratives." Prof. Jigna Desai from CEPT University said, "Ahmedabad is possibly the only city in the country where one can discuss the modern architecture in India as a building culture. I am glad that we are able to host this event here and I look forward to the international discussion it generates."
About CEPT University
CEPT University focuses on understanding, designing, planning, constructing, and managing human habitats. Its teaching programs aim to build thoughtful professionals and its research programs deepen understanding of human settlements. CEPT University also undertakes advisory projects to further the goal of making habitats more livable. Through its education, research and advisory activities, the University strives to improve the impact of habitat professions in enriching the lives of people in India's villages, towns and cities. The University comprises six faculties: viz. the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Planning, the Faculty of Technology, the Faculty of Design, the Faculty of Management and the CEPT Foundation Program. In December 2023, CEPT University has been recognized by the Government of India as a Centre of Excellence in Urban Planning and Design. This comes with an endowment of Rs. 250 Crore to be used towards the research and training on India specific knowledge in Urban Planning and Design over the next 25 years. CEPT University was established by the CEPT University Act of 2005 enacted by the government of Gujarat. It was originally started in 1962 as the School of Architecture supported by the Ahmedabad Education Society. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) of the Government of India recognizes the University as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO). CEPT University is recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat. CEPT University has many ongoing collaborations and exchange programs with top-ranked universities across the world.

https://www.ptinews.com/press-release/getty-intach-and-cept-university-open-the-week-long-in-person-training-on-modern-architecture-conservation-in-india/2306721, February 19, 2025

Shesrig Ladakh, that began as a passion project of cousins, has now grown into a movement that empowers local communities to safeguard Ladakh’s artistic legacy. Till 2017 Choskor House in the Old Town of Leh was just another dilapidated building in the locality. In a span of about seven years it has transformed into an edifice preserving the rich art and culture that has been flourishing in this part of the country. From preseration to revival of Ladakh’s architectural and artistic heritage, the Choskor House today narrates stories of art and artists through Shesrig Ladakh, a conservation practice founded and operated by Noor Jahan and her cousin Wajeeda - both conservationists by training and passion. “We both pursued conservation studies together and after completing our master’s degrees, worked on various projects with different organizations in and outside of Ladakh. However, we both felt a strong urge to establish something of our own, recognising the immense potential for conservation work in Ladakh,” says Noor who currently serves as the Director of the Shesrig Foundation. Over the years, she has been involved in various conservation projects, both within Ladakh and beyond, focusing on wall paintings, thangkas, and other traditional artworks. Shesrig (a Ladakhi word meaning culture) Ladakh functions year-round with a predominantly local team. For Noor, it was a chance encounter that led her to explore the field of art conservation. “My initiation into the field of art conservation was by chance. I came across a group of wall painting conservators from Europe who were working on a site in Ladakh. At the time, I had no prior knowledge that such a profession even existed," she explains. Their meticulous work and the processes involved in restoring historic artworks, caught her imagination. "It was a moment of realization for me—seeing experts dedicated to preserving something so integral to our culture and identity,” she quickly adds. Since its inception, Shesrig has contributed massively to the region's conservation scene. One of the most noticeable changes has been the growing awareness among stakeholders—monasteries, village communities, local authorities, and even individual caretakers—about the importance of preserving Ladakh’s material heritage. The work of organisations like Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) and Achi Association India has played a crucial role in creating awareness and engaging stakeholders in meaningful conversations about conservation. Noor had been in awe of the arts and gets a sense of fulfillment in creating and restoring something tangible. "My father, a traditional jeweler, was instrumental in shaping my sensibilities on intricate craftsmanship. From a young age, my sister and I assisted him in crafting gold-thread work for amulets (gawoo), a process that required immense patience and precision," she explains. This early exposure to detailed, hands-on work, unknowingly prepared her for the discipline and meticulous attention to detail that conservation demands. "When I discovered art conservation, it felt like a natural extension of my childhood experiences," Noor says with a sense of joy. Noor set off her conservation journey in 2012 and her first hands-on experience was as an intern at Disket Monastery through the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation. Explaining on choosing Choskor House, Noor says the moment she and her cousin saw it, they were captivated. Though dilapidated, the house had a unique charm and historical significance. "We saw its potential, not only as a workspace but as a symbol of what we hoped to achieve—reviving and preserving Ladakh’s architectural and artistic heritage. Restoring the house itself was a project that aligned with our philosophy, and it became the foundation for Shesrig Ladakh, ” Noor says elated

The People Behind The Conservation Efforts

The team of Shesrig Ladakh includes conservators, mostly selected from local community and trained, who ensure sustainable practice to safeguard heritage. Through this, the sisters have provided skill development training and employment opportunities to the community. "The outlook of people to save heritage has changed and I believe Shesrig has played a role in that transformation,” Noor adds. With two key conservators, Kunzes Dolma and Deachen Angmo, Shesrig Ladakh has grown into a larger team of five women conservators, a traditional thangka artist, and a dedicated in-house photographer. This expansion has not only strengthened their capacity to take on complex projects but also reinforced their mission of fostering local expertise in art conservation.” For Noor, art transcends religious boundaries. For her cultural heritage belongs to all and it should be a shared responsibility to preserve it. "Rather than categorising objects based on religion, I view them as part of Ladakh’s collective identity. Growing up surrounded by a wealth of cultural and artistic traditions, I witnessed firsthand how many invaluable pieces were deteriorating or being lost over time. This realisation strengthened my resolve to safeguard Ladakh’s artistic legacy,” she assertively states. Conservation, for Noor and the team, is about respecting and preserving history, and every effort contributes to a larger movement. "Each conserved artifact, restored painting, is a step toward ensuring that future generations can experience and appreciate the cultural wealth that defines us. Heritage is universal and worth protecting, regardless of its origin.”

The preservation of thangkas

These artworks are not just paintings, they hold deep historical, spiritual, and artistic value. Thangkas serve as visual scriptures, carrying teachings, symbolism, and narratives that have been passed down for generations. Many are centuries old, created using traditional materials and techniques that are now fading with time. Beyond their religious importance, thangkas also represent a unique artistic tradition that reflect the cultural identity of Ladakh and the Himalayan region. “Without proper conservation, these delicate paintings, often made on fabric and susceptible to environmental damage, could be lost forever,” she shares. Reminiscing on a conservation work of the 14th century wall paintings at Chomo Phu, a remote site in a gorge, about an hour’s trek from Disket Monastery, Noor says the project took off during COVID-19 period. "We were a team of three women, working in complete isolation, camping in the gorge for about 22 days. Since the site had no facilities, our supplies were brought to us periodically by the monastery. The environment was raw and challenging, but that only added to the intensity and beauty of the experience," explains Noor. Shesrig Ladakh, that began as a small initiative has taken a big leap now. The founders are ambitious—aiming to establish a full-fledged conservation facility in Ladakh, one that would be the first of its kind in the entire country. The facility would not only serve as a professional conservation studio equipped with specialised tools and materials but also act as a centre for research, education, and skill development. "We aspire to build a strong conservation community in Ladakh, where local professionals and students can receive hands-on training, engage in knowledge exchange, and contribute meaningfully to the preservation of their own heritage,” she says while working on a piece of art. The team is looking at greater interdisciplinary collaborations by bringing together conservation experts, traditional artists, architects, archaeologists, and material scientists. “The ultimate goal is not just to restore an artwork to its former glory but to extend its lifespan so that it can be appreciated and studied for generations to come,” says Noor Jahan as the last word on conservation. Conservation work in Ladakh is not a new endeavour, for over 25 years, organisations such as Achi Association India, Tibet Heritage Fund, NIRLAC, INTACH and Art Conservation Solutions have been actively involved in the preservation of Ladakh’s architectural and artistic heritage, particularly focusing on wall paintings and historic structures.

https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!offbeat/shesrig-ladakh-a-homegrown-conservation-of-art-and-heritage-effort-by-sisters-to-preserve-culture-of-ladakh-enn25021801328, February 18, 2025

Archaeological Survey of India Initiates Underwater Explorations in Dwarka Waters

With three women archaeologists, it is an inclusive show of women strength in the field

A team of five archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), led by Prof. Alok Tripathi, Additional Director-General (Archaeology) has commenced groundbreaking underwater explorations off the coast of Dwarka. The team, which also includes H.K. Nayak, Director (Excavations and Explorations), Dr. Aparajita Sharma, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist, Ms. Poonam Vind, and Rajkumari Barbina, has selected an area near the Gomati Creek for initial investigations. For the first time in ASI, this team comprising a significant number of women archaeologists and the most numbers of archaeologists actively participating in underwater investigations. This underwater exploration is part of the renewed Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) of ASI, which has recently been revived to undertake offshore surveys and investigations in Dwarka and Bet Dwarka (Gujarat). The UAW has been at the forefront of underwater archaeological research since the 1980s. Since 2001, the wing is conducting explorations at sites such as Bangaram Island (Lakshadweep), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Dwarka (Gujarat), Loktak Lake (Manipur), and Elephanta Island (Maharashtra). Archaeologists of UAW have also collaborated with the Indian Navy (IN) and other government organizations for the study and protection of underwater cultural heritage. Earlier the Underwater Archaeology Wing had carried-out offshore and onshore excavations at Dwarka from 2005 to 2007. The coastal areas were examined during low tide where sculptures and stone anchors were discovered. Based on those explorations, underwater excavations were carried out. The current underwater investigations mark a significant step in ASI’s mission to safeguard India’s rich underwater cultural heritage.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2104411, February 18, 2025

India is renowned for its numerous cultural heritage sites, which are celebrated both nationally and globally as vital aspects of its identity. However, beyond its cultural treasures, the country is also home to remarkable geological monuments, known as geoheritage sites, that offer fascinating insights into Earth's evolutionary history. There are 34 officially recognized National Geological Heritage Monument Sites in India that are identified and protected by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). These sites serve as natural records of the planet's past. Here’s a look at some of the most prominent and intriguing geological monuments across the country. Varkala cliffs in Kerala The Varkala Cliffs, a striking natural wonder along the shores of Varkala Beach in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district, offer a breathtaking blend of geology and scenic beauty. These towering red laterite cliffs, dramatically overlooking the Arabian Sea, are a rare sight along India’s coastline and are officially recognized as the Varkala Formation—a Cenozoic sedimentary marvel. What sets them apart is that they are the only beachside cliffs in Kerala, making them a must-visit destination for travelers seeking both stunning landscapes and geological intrigue. Tirumala Natural Geological Arch in Andhra Pradesh The Tirumala Natural Geological Arch, also known as Silathoranam, is a rare and stunning rock formation nestled in the Tirumala Hills of Andhra Pradesh. Located just one kilometer from the famous Tirumala Temple, this natural arch is one of a kind in India, drawing both pilgrims and geology enthusiasts alike. Its unique structure, shaped over millions of years by natural forces, makes it a fascinating geological marvel. L onar Crater in Maharashtra Lonar Crater, nestled in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, is a stunning remnant of a meteorite impact from the Pleistocene Epoch. Unlike volcanic craters, which it was once mistaken for, this massive astrobleme was created when a high-velocity meteor crashed into the basaltic terrain, leaving behind a near-perfect circular depression. Today, the crater holds Lonar Lake, a fascinating body of water known for its highly alkaline and saline properties, creating a unique ecosystem. Also read: National Fossil Wood Park in Tamil Nadu The National Fossil Wood Park, located in Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu, is a prehistoric wonder that dates back 20 million years. Though officially established in 1940, this site is home to numerous petrified wood fossils, where ancient trees have transformed into stone over millennia. While nine fossil zones have been identified in the region, only a 247- acre section is accessible to the public. Basalt rock pillars of St. Mary’s Islands in Karnataka St. Mary’s Islands, a stunning archipelago off the coast of Malpe in Karnataka’s Udupi district, is a hidden geological gem. Comprising four small islands, the most famous among them is Coconut Island, home to India’s only interlocking basalt rock columns. These striking hexagonal rock formations were created by volcanic activity millions of years ago, making the islands a one-of-a-kind natural wonder in the country. Also read: Ramgarh crater in Rajasthan Ramgarh Crater, also known as the Ramgarh Structure, is a fascinating meteorite impact site located on the Kota Plateau near Baran district in Rajasthan. Spanning 3.5 kilometers in diameter, this massive astrobleme is one of only three known impact craters in India, alongside Lonar Crater in Maharashtra and Dhala Crater in Madhya Pradesh. Adding to its appeal, the crater is situated just 50-60 kilometers from Kuno National Park.



https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/destinations/geo-heritage-of-india-countrys-most-fascinating-geological-sites/articleshow/118276855.cms, February 15, 2025

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) has challenged Haryana’s claims on the Najafgarh Jheel, pointing to inaccurate information shared by the state with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last month stating that only covers 47 acres in Haryana and was practically non-existent before 2010. Questioning these claims about the jheel, which is a trans boundary water body spread across both Haryana and Delhi, Intach in an affidavit to the NGT shared a series of historical documents, including the Gurgaon Gazetteer (1983) and 1936 Survey of India map, which shows that the jheel existed in Haryana back then too. Further, Intach said over 2,000 acres gets submerged in the state, making claims of only a 47-acre Jheel existing on the Haryana side alone questionable. Najafgarh Jheel is Delhi’s largest lake and, historically, used to be fed by the Sahibi river.

In present times, the river largely receives most of its water from Haryana, including water from drains that bring effluents. NGT has been hearing a plea filed by Intach since 2018, which sought the declaration of the jheel as a notified wetland. The petition also sought other measures for its protection, citing that the lake was gradually being polluted. Responding to a submission by the Haryana government on January 9, 2025, Intach said record dating as far back as 1882 show an excessive area of inundation stretching nearly 1,772 acres. Further, it said the 1936 and 1964 Survey of India maps both show Najafgarh Jheel “north of Gurgaon”. The affidavit also attached satellite images from the years 1965, 1972, 1977, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2009, 2010 – all depicting the jheel.

"That the above maps and imageries conclusively show that the Najafgarh Jheel is located as a trans boundary wetland between Haryana and Delhi and that the Najafgarh Jheel continued to exist as a wetland recorded since the 19th century CE, well before 2010, contrary to the claim of State Wetland Authority of Haryana. It is further submitted that most of these imageries have been supplied by the State of Haryana itself,” said the submission. In August last year, Haryana in another affidavit had said it would only be notifying around 75 acres of “submerged land” as the Najafgarh Jheel on its side. Hitting out at Haryana’s claims that the lake was expanding and filling up with sewage, Intach said that Haryana’s latest submission reveals that the lake swelled to as much as 3,800 acres in 2010.

“As per their own submission the area of submergence even as late as September 2021 was 2048 acres and on November 2021, 1667 acres,” said the report by Intach , submitted by its principal director Manu Bhatnagar. Intach has requested the NGT to now issue directions to Haryana, asking it to prepare a brief document which should be submitted to the Union environment ministry for its notification as a trans boundary wetland, considering a submergence core zone of 209m (917 acres). Further, the buffer zone should be up to 211m, it had said. The Najafgarh Jheel wetland, the second-largest in the NCR, is a critical habitat for resident and migratory water birds but faces escalating environmental pressures and human activity. The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) 2025 data indicated that Najafgarh Jheel recorded 82 bird species this year—up from 64 in 2024— while the total count of birds fell from 6,004 to 3,650.

Experts attributed the decline to multiple factors including global climate change, illegal fishing, encroachment, and excessive water extraction for agriculture. Another persistent issue is the construction of the Massani Barrage on the Sahibi river, which has significantly reduced the water inflow that sustains the wetland during drier months. In addition, sewage drains continue to pollute the lake, degrading the water quality and threatening birdlife.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/intach-questions-haryana-s-claims-says-najafgarh-jheel-larger-than-47-acres-101739553468137.html, February 1, 2025

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) has challenged Haryana's assertions on Najafgarh Jheel in an affidavit to the National Green Tribunal, pointing out inaccuracies such as the state's claim that the lake covered only 47 acres and was non-existent on its side before 2010. Intach said this was contradicted by historical evidence from the 1882 Gurgaon gazetteer and a 1936 Survey of India map demonstrating over 2,000 acres of the lake lying in Haryana. NGT is currently reviewing Intach's petition to designate Najafgarh as a transboundary wetland. On Jan 9, Haryana's state wetland authority submitted, "The jheel is located in Delhi, not Haryana. Prior to 2010, there was no jheel, and post-2010, only sewage from urbanising Gurgaon is filling the jheel.

" The contesting affidavit submitted by Intach on Feb 12 pointed out that according to the Land Revenue Settlement of the Gurgaon District, 1882, the area of excessive inundation in the district was 1,772 acres in the villages of Dharampur, Daulatabad, Budgera, Mankraula and Naubaramad, all in present-day Haryana. It attached Survey of India Maps from 1936 and 1964 showing Najafgarh Jheel in north Gurgaon. Intach, through principal director Manu Bhatnagar, also contended that the Sahibi basin Survey submitted by Haryana itself showed the jheel in north Gurgaon. Satellite imagery from 1965, 1972, 1977, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2009, 2010 corroborated this.

Refuting Haryana's claim that the lake was just sewage from urban Gurgaon, the heritage body pointed out that that Haryana wetland authority had no explanation on the expansion of the lake in the monsoons, for instance, in 2010 to 3,800 acres, or 7,600% of claimed lake area. "As per Haryana's own submission, the area of submergence even as late as Sept 24, 2021, was 2,048 acres [4,000%] and on Nov 11, 2021, 1,667 acres [3,300%].

Further, the Report of the Haryana State Wetland Authority dated July 29, 2024, states that the Najafgarh Jheel spread between 2014 and 2021 ranged from 200 acres to 2,048 acres," Intach argued. Intach requested NGT to direct Haryana to prepare a brief and send it to the Union environment ministry for notification of Najafgarh Jheel as a transboundary wetland with a core submergence area of 917 acres with a buffer zone, a high flood level as noted in the joint environmental management plan (EMP) and a zone of influence in the part of the lake falling in Haryana. It said JEMP was filed by the ministry on Dec 13, 202,1 with the concurrence of Haryana, which had not objected to it in the past 32 months.

Intach sought NGT's intervention in reviving, protecting and preserving the lake because of its importance in meeting the drinking and domestic needs of the water-starved areas of Gurgaon and Delhi. In 2022, NGT asked Union environment ministry to develop an integrated plan to conserve the transboundary wetland and directed Delhi and Haryana to allocate funds and implement respective EMPs until the integrated plan was finalised.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/intach-contests-ggn-claims-on-najafgarh-jheel/articleshowprint/118257364.cms, February 3, 2025

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) has challenged Haryana's assertions on Najafgarh Jheel in an affidavit to the National Green Tribunal, pointing out inaccuracies such as the state's claim that the lake covered only 47 acres and was non-existent on its side before 2010. Intach said this was contradicted by historical evidence from the 1882 Gurgaon gazetteer and a 1936 Survey of India map demonstrating over 2,000 acres of the lake lying in Haryana. NGT is currently reviewing Intach's petition to designate Najafgarh as a transboundary wetland. On Jan 9, Haryana's state wetland authority submitted, "The jheel is located in Delhi, not Haryana. Prior to 2010, there was no jheel, and post-2010, only sewage from urbanising Gurgaon is filling the jheel." The contesting affidavit submitted by Intach on Feb 12 pointed out that according to the Land Revenue Settlement of the Gurgaon District, 1882, the area of excessive inundation in the district was 1,772 acres in the villages of Dharampur, Daulatabad, Budgera, Mankraula and Naubaramad, all in present-day Haryana. It attached Survey of India Maps from 1936 and 1964 showing Najafgarh Jheel in north Gurgaon. Intach, through principal director Manu Bhatnagar, also contended that the Sahibi basin Survey submitted by Haryana itself showed the jheel in north Gurgaon. Satellite imagery from 1965, 1972, 1977, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2009, 2010 corroborated this. Refuting Haryana's claim that the lake was just sewage from urban Gurgaon, the heritage body pointed out that that Haryana wetland authority had no explanation on the expansion of the lake in the monsoons, for instance, in 2010 to 3,800 acres, or 7,600% of claimed lake area. "As per Haryana's own submission, the area of submergence even as late as Sept 24, 2021, was 2,048 acres [4,000%] and on Nov 11, 2021, 1,667 acres [3,300%]. Further, the Report of the Haryana State Wetland Authority dated July 29, 2024, states that the Najafgarh Jheel spread between 2014 and 2021 ranged from 200 acres to 2,048 acres," Intach argued. Intach requested NGT to direct Haryana to prepare a brief and send it to the Union environment ministry for notification of Najafgarh Jheel as a transboundary wetland with a core submergence area of 917 acres with a buffer zone, a high flood level as noted in the joint environmental management plan (EMP) and a zone of influence in the part of the lake falling in Haryana. It said JEMP was filed by the ministry on Dec 13, 202,1 with the concurrence of Haryana, which had not objected to it in the past 32 months. Intach sought NGT's intervention in reviving, protecting and preserving the lake because of its importance in meeting the drinking and domestic needs of the water-starved areas of Gurgaon and Delhi. In 2022, NGT asked Union environment ministry to develop an integrated plan to conserve the transboundary wetland and directed Delhi and Haryana to allocate funds and implement respective EMPs until the integrated plan was finalised.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/intach-contests-ggn-claims-on-najafgarh-jheel/articleshowprint/118257364.cms, February 5, 2025

The Mahabubnagar chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is organizing a national-level Essay and Poster competition across all 17 mandals of Mahabubnagar district. The event will take place from January 28 to January 30, 2025, and aims to promote cultural awareness among students. Dr. T. Nagender Swamy, Convenor of INTACH, shared details about the initiative, stating, "We have already sent invitations to over 270 government schools in the district, and over 100 schools have registered so far.

Each school is invited to nominate two students from classes 7 to 9 to participate." The competition will be held at centralized locations in the respective mandal headquarters. Winners at the mandal level will receive a cash prize of ₹5,00 and all entries will be forwarded to New Delhi for further evaluation in the national competition. To ensure smooth execution, six INTACH teams will inspect the quiz competitions during the three-day event. The evaluation process will be managed by a team from Delhi, ensuring fairness and transparency. Schools that have not yet registered can do so by January 25. For registration, visit this link or contact 7995008712, 9440157848, or 9440295712 for assistance. This annual competition program is a significant step toward fostering knowledge and appreciation of India’s rich heritage among students in Mahabubnagar district.

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/we-had-surplus-budget-even-after-10-years-ktr-to-fm-946317, February 6, 2025

More than 100 students from various schools had participated in ‘Celebrating India’ national poster competition organized here today by the Madurai Chapter of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). Students from classes 7th to 9th took part in this all India poster competition held at Mahatma Montessori School campus in Sambakulam-Kodikulam here on February 12th 2025 where the participants were asked to depict cultural heritage of their region covering local festival, tradition, local customs. rituals and social practices etc. Dr.S.A.V.Elanchezian, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture-Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE), who was the chief guest for this INTACH event had given a brief orientation to the school students about the need to protect India’s culture and heritage. “Past, present and future are important for us. We had acclaimed and renowned artists like M.H.Husain who did wonders with the brush. India’s art, culture, literature, music, dance and festivals must nbe cherished and conserved. Three elements of heritage are fabric, stories and culture….Sungudi sarees and Madurai Malli (jasmine flower variety) are best examples. We must protect our culture and heritage by enjoying the aesthetic value. To create that spirit among you, this national poster competition was conducted today,” Dr.Elanchezian said. Ms.Hemalatha Arunkumar, INTACH education convener and Dr.B.Nalini, retired professor and INTACH Madurai Chapter member, were among those present at the inaugural session today morning.

https://www.lotustimes.org/2025/02/12/celebrating-india-poster-competition-held-for-school-students-in-madurai-intach-stresses-on-protecting-countrys-heritage/, February 7, 2025

For Sebati Sisa, 62, the capital city of Odisha did not matter for the time being. She seemed excited for the longer journey to New Delhi on Saturday to participate in an exhibition as a brand ambassador for the state's prized Kerang textile from a remote village in Koraput district. Dressed in wrap-around 'cropped' sarees in stripes of cyan, off white and orange - the typical colour combination seen only in Kerang weaves, Sebati, a Gadaba Adivasi woman, was eager to tell the story of the dying art, when ETV Bharat asked her on what hopes does she pin on the revival efforts. "It is too early to say what will be the outcome of such revival efforts, but we survive on hope," says Sebati in Gutab dialect, typical to the Gadabas. She is currently among the older generation artists of the tribe, who are training the second and third generation Gadabas in the art of weaving the fabric. Kerang fabric is passed down through generations as it does not wear and tear easily. It is usually gifted to a daughter when she gets married, but unless a girl or a boy in the tribe is trained to weave, they are not considered fit for marriage.

Four years back, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) initiated steps to keep the art form alive. Taking along the district administration, State Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Forest Department and most importantly, winning the trust of the Gadaba Adivasis, INTACH officials spoke to the families that knew the art of weaving Kerang. A loom house was built in Raipada village in Lamataput block of the district. Around 11 looms were set up for the older generation women to work on and train the youngsters. The fabric woven by the villagers so far has been taken by the INTACH which also compensates them. "It is something between Rs 2000 and Rs 3000 for a 12 inch by 12 inch Kerang fabric," says an official accompanying them to New Delhi for the exhibition being curated by the INTACH. Sebati along with Moni Kirsani are the only two participants from Odisha chosen to represent the pride of their handwoven textile, Kerang, along with representatives from 29 different states.

For Sebati Sisa, 62, the capital city of Odisha did not matter for the time being. She seemed excited for the longer journey to New Delhi on Saturday to participate in an exhibition as a brand ambassador for the state's prized Kerang textile from a remote village in Koraput district. Dressed in wrap-around 'cropped' sarees in stripes of cyan, off white and orange - the typical colour combination seen only in Kerang weaves, Sebati, a Gadaba Adivasi woman, was eager to tell the story of the dying art, when ETV Bharat asked her on what hopes does she pin on the revival efforts. "It is too early to say what will be the outcome of such revival efforts, but we survive on hope," says Sebati in Gutab dialect, typical to the Gadabas. She is currently among the older generation artists of the tribe, who are training the second and third generation Gadabas in the art of weaving the fabric. Kerang fabric is passed down through generations as it does not wear and tear easily. It is usually gifted to a daughter when she gets married, but unless a girl or a boy in the tribe is trained to weave, they are not considered fit for marriage.

Four years back, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) initiated steps to keep the art form alive. Taking along the district administration, State Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Forest Department and most importantly, winning the trust of the Gadaba Adivasis, INTACH officials spoke to the families that knew the art of weaving Kerang. A loom house was built in Raipada village in Lamataput block of the district. Around 11 looms were set up for the older generation women to work on and train the youngsters. The fabric woven by the villagers so far has been taken by the INTACH which also compensates them. "It is something between Rs 2000 and Rs 3000 for a 12 inch by 12 inch Kerang fabric," says an official accompanying them to New Delhi for the exhibition being curated by the INTACH. Sebati along with Moni Kirsani are the only two participants from Odisha chosen to represent the pride of their handwoven textile, Kerang, along with representatives from 29 different states. THE PROCESS AND THE TOIL When Sebati starts explaining the process, it keeps one wondering, how such marvelous works of art could be relegated to the edges of obscurity. The thread being the most important part, is made from a plant called Kerang. It is a slimy thin plant that is uprooted, and its stem dried under the sun after being beaten with a hammer umpteen times. Once dried, it is left to cool for a few days and then brought out and hammered to smithereens. From those split stems are the threads rolled which are then polished, by being rubbed against the skin of the artist. "It is hell of a task to complete even one ball of thread. It takes us days to extract threads from the plants. First, not all plants can be used for the fabric as the older ones (3-4 year old) do not give quality threads. So we need to choose the younger plants only. But even then, Kerang thread alone does not make a fabric. We need 'dom suta,' another thread, to bind the Kerang,” explains Sebati. The dom thread is then coloured with the help of Siuna and Jaffra - while Jaffra produces orange colour threads, Siuna yields blue, which are also fetched from plants by the same name. “We now spend about seven hours in the loom house each day. It takes a toll on our calf muscles as we wind and polish the threads around our legs,” says Sebati, showing the chapped skin on her legs. “One piece of Kerang takes us at least 15 days to weave,” she states, adding, “There are people from Bangalore and other parts of the country who buy these products from us for as much as Rs 10,000."

LIFE BEYOND FABRIC WEAVNG Both Sebati and Moni get old age pension from the Odisha government but it is far too little a help for them. So at 60 plus years, both work at home, cook, do farming (mostly millets, ginger, peepla, turmeric and other cash crops) and by the time the clock strikes 10 am, they take rapid strides along with few others towards the loom house to begin weaving. Raipada village, where Sebati and Moni live, has around 40-50 families, most of whom belong to the Gadaba tribe. However, many families abandoned weaving due to its labour-intensive nature, leaving their makeshift looms unused. “Our children started going to school and didn’t have time to learn weaving. Moreover, once they became educated, they wanted to move out of poverty and find jobs,” says Moni, whose son is pursuing college education in Koraput. The nearest bank and higher education institute from Raipada village are located in Machkund, 30 kilometers away, while Guneipada is 12 kilometers away. The only mode of transport is the autorickshaw, which charges Rs 40 for a one-way trip to the bank. “People say we are rich in our legacy of making Kerang, but for us, it is difficult to survive on the meager money we earn. We sell our farm produce to traders from Jalaput, but our cloth should get a fair price given the hard work we put into it,” says Sebati, who, despite her sadness, breaks into a folk song. She quickly adds, “But we weave in silence because the thread work requires a lot of concentration."

INTACH FEST IN NEW DELHI Both Sebati and Moni will be demonstrating the making of Kerang at the Intach Utsav in New Delhi. "These women would exhibit live weaving of their traditional Kerang fabric. INTACH took up the restoration work of the art few years back and conducted a survey to trace the reasons behind the art's near extinction," said Dr. P. C. Mohapatro, Convenor of Koraput chapter of INTACH. So we explored the possibilities of reviving the traditional fabric, he added. The INTACH began from the very first step by planting Kerang trees which are scantily available these days. They joined hands with the Forest Department to plant the Kerang and Siuna plants in large tracts to facilitate original thread making. "We also set up special looms for the community. The district administration supported for construction of a weaving house at Raipada village as a model workshop," he informed. “We hope that Sebati and Moni’s participation will generate interest among the visitors in the Kerang fabric, inspiring them to contribute to the cause of its revival,” he said, adding that the process to secure a GI tag for the fabric has begun.

https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!offbeat/odisha-handwoven-fabric-keranga-by-gadaba-tribes-in-koraput-intach-fest-in-new-delhi-enn25012504142, February 10, 2025

District representatives of INTACH and Air Travellers Association of India submit a memorandum on ancient temples in Srikakulam district to the Tourism Minister at Regional Tourism Investors Engagement. Nuka Sanyasi Rao, the district convenor of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), and Natukula Mohan, the district founder of the Air Travelers Association of India, urged Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh to promote temple tourism in Srikakulam district on Monday. They participated in the Regional Tourism Investors Engagement meeting in Visakhapatnam and submitted a memorandum to the Minister about the ancient temples in the district. Mr. Rao said that the Sun God temple at Arasavilli, Sri Kurmanatheswara temple in Srikurmam, and Lord Shiva temple in Srimukhalingam could be included in the promotion of temple tourism. He joined Mr. Mohan in pressing for exclusive tourist buses from Visakhapatnam to Srikakulam, saying that the move would ensure quick tourism promotion in the district. The Minister directed the officials concerned to investigate the proposal. He also said that the airport coming up at Bhogapuram, between Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam, would boost tourism in the district.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/minister-kandula-durgesh-urged-to-promote-temple-tourism-in-srikakulam-district/article69146453.ece, February 11, 2025

The 12,000-year-old red sand dunes, which were once spread over 850 acres, have been reduced to 400 acres due to sea erosion and human interference, say experts. Around sixty students of Visakha Valley School visited the Erramatti Dibbalu (red sand dunes) at Rushikonda on Wednesday. The students were taken to the heritage site as part of a geography awareness camp organised by the school in association with the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Visakhapatnam Chapter. School principal Eshwari Prabhakar and heritage club co-ordinator A. Srinivasa Rao led the students, while INTACH district convener P. Rajasekhara Reddy and member Renuka Rani explained the significance of the heritage site to the students. Mr. Rajasekhara Reddy said the sand dunes in Viskahaptnam is among only two such sites in India. The 12,000-year-old red sand dunes are a great heritage of the country. Such sites are available in Saudi Arabia, Namibia and India. These dunes, which were once spread over around 850 acres, have been reduced to 400 acres due to sea erosion and human interference, he explained. The INTACH team and school authorities advised the students to work towards the protection of the heritage sites. Ms. Prabhakar said every student should work towards the protection of the great heritage structures of the city, the State and the country. The students were also taken to natural ‘Sila Thoranam’ at Thotlakonda, another heritage site.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/students-sensitised-to-significance-of-erramatti-dibbalu-in-vizag/article69156024.ece, February 12, 2025

Releasing the 73-page report with proof of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates obtained from globally acclaimed laboratories and validated by 10 experts from across the country, Chief Minister M K Stalin declared that the history of the Indian subcontinent can 'no longer overlook Tamil Nadu but must begin here.' The findings are based on AMS and OSL dating of cultural deposits excavated from Adichanallur, Sivagalai, Mayiladumparai, Mangadu, Thelunganur, and Kilnamandi sites. Carbon dating of artefacts unearthed from recent archaeological excavations in Tamil Nadu have established that use of iron was widespread in the state and dates back to at least 5,300 years ago, making it the oldest date for Iron Age in India. The above finding in a report named ‘Antiquity of Iron’ by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) released on Thursday further bolsters assertions of Iron Age experts in India that iron technology wasn’t imported from the West but was home-grown. Releasing the 73-page report with proof of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates obtained from globally acclaimed laboratories and validated by 10 experts from across the country, Chief Minister M K Stalin declared that the history of the Indian subcontinent can “no longer overlook Tamil Nadu but must begin here”. “Iron Age began from the Tamil Landscape. Not just to India, I declare to the world that iron began on Tamil soil. Iron ore technology was introduced in the Tamil land 5,300 years ago…people who mocked us saying literature can never become history are now fascinated with the way we have proved our history scientifically,” Stalin added. Political significance of the findings Stalin’s speech was carefully drafted to underscore that his government has begun to scientifically prove the technological sophistication of ancient Tamil civilisation which was often overlooked in the country’s mainstream history. The Chief Minister also suggested that further archaeological evidence is beginning to emerge for rich references made in expansive literature that ancient Tamils gifted to the world. The report comes as a major political boost to Stalin, who has taken upon himself to prove scientifically that the Tamil civilization was the oldest in India and position himself as a staunch opponent of the BJP in the “Dravidian versus Aryan” narrative in Tamil Nadu. Since taking over as Chief Minister in May 2021, Stalin has accorded top priority to the archaeology department by allotting record funds to the hitherto cash-strapped section and encouraging Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Finance Secretary T Udhayachandran – both hold archaeology as additional charge due to their avid interest in the subject – to keep pushing the boundaries in the field. New hypothesis and dating of materials from Sivagalai. The findings also introduce a new hypothesis that the Copper Age of North India and the Iron Age of South India are probably contemporary. “Scientific dates may further clarify or strengthen the nature of the introduction of iron in India,” Prof K Rajan and R Sivananthan, authors of the report, said. The findings are based on AMS and OSL dating of cultural deposits excavated from Adichanallur, Sivagalai, Mayiladumparai, Mangadu, Thelunganur, and Kilnamandi sites. In total, five artefacts from Sivagalai in Thoothukudi district were taken for analysis with a potsherd going back to 685 BCE and a paddy sample collected from a burial urn to 1155 BCE. “The other three dates falling between 2953 BCE and 3345 BCE yielded iron objects. In this sense, the introduction of iron in Tamil Nadu goes back to the first quarter of the 4th millennium BCE,” the authors wrote in the report. The OSL analysis provided dates of 2459 BCE, 2427 BCE, 2590 BCE and all the samples were collected from a single grave. “All three dates quite interestingly fall in the middle of the 3rdmillennium BCE displaying their consistency,” the report added. The dates arrived at for Adichanallur are 1800-905 BCE, Kilnamandi (1769-1615 BCE), Mayiladumparai (2172 BCE), Mangadu (1604-1416 BCE), and Thelunganur (1435-1233 BCE). Mayiladumparai with a period of 2172 BCE (4,200 years ago) arrived in 2022 was so far the earliest date for iron technology in India. Before that, it was dated back to around 1500-2000 BCE, following the Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BCE–1300 BCE). “The metallurgical analysis of iron objects from the excavated sites and future excavations in iron orebearing zones may further consolidate or strengthen these findings (first quarter for 4th Millennium BCE). Let us hope and wait for future evidence,” the authors added. Validated by external experts In an effort to ensure external validation of the hypothesis, the TNSDA flew down Prof Dilip Kumar Chakrabarti, who was the first to challenge in the 1970s the theory that iron technology was imported to India, and former Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Dr Rakesh Tewari, who had excavated several Iron Age sites in north India, to Chennai. Putting things in perspective, Dr Tewari told DH that plenty of research in north India had fixed the Iron Age period between 1500-2000 BCE and much evidence to arrive at the above date also came from states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. “But now it has taken a leap in 3rd millennium BCE and that’s why it is fascinating. I don’t think this is accidental. This is a very methodical research, and I have no doubt about the findings that the authors have arrived at based on AMS and OSL dating of cultural deposits,” he added. Prof Chakrabarti said the findings were very important not just from the prism of India or Tamil Nadu, but globally. “The discovery is of such a great importance that it will take some more time before its implication sinks in. I need to process the fact that such a date has been thrown up. It is simply fascinating,” he told DH. Ravi Korisettar, Professor for Archaeology, Karnatak University, Dharwad, told DH that the hypothesis by the TNSDA is logical as far as the evidence goes and pitched the need for further substantiation as “one or two sites will not answer the question.“ Talking about Karnataka, the expert said Iron appears much later in time in the state than in Tamil Nadu, but archaeologists have not yet struck a site which can be dated. “There are possibilities that the dates could be much earlier than what is known today. Even in Neolithic cultural sites that have been identified, we are yet to see the transition from hunting to gathering to early agriculture. These sites elude us,” Korisettar said. The latest development is “certainly encouraging”, Korisettar said, and stressed the need to intensify research on archaeological findings, besides identifying more sites to excavate. However, Dr Tewari said only digging won’t lead anywhere. “Archaeological problems of the country should be addressed more seriously. Only digging will not lead (anywhere), you will get something. But excavations have to be taken to a logical conclusion by validating the findings through scientific methodologies,” he added. Korisettar also said different regions of the world have different cultural trajectories and that the concept of linear development – Stone Age to Copper Age to Iron Age – is not applicable everywhere. “Bronze doesn’t pre-date or precede iron technology because the availability of resources mattered then. It depended on the ability of the human community to identify these resources in the area then develop a technology to extract iron from iron ore. This simply means one didn’t lead to another,” he said. He said the Iron Age sites in Karnataka may be much younger than their counterparts in Tamil Nadu as these boundaries did not exist in the past and they were part of one single cultural area. “Independent developments took place depending upon the capabilities of the people who are living in the proximity of the resources and also their ability to find an alternative raw material for making artifacts because they were already an agricultural society,” he added. Earlier dates and fresh findings The earlier excavations at Sivagalai, Adichanallur, Mayiladumparai, Kilnamandi and Mangadu indicated the date for the introduction of iron in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, falls between 2500 BCE and 3000 BCE. “When cultural zones located north of Vindhyas experienced the Copper Age, the region south of Vindhyas might have entered into the Iron Age due to the limited availability of commercially exploitable copper ore,” the report added. The report said samples collected from a stone circle entombing a pit burial with sarcophagus along with iron objects in Kilnamandi threw up the date of 1692 BCE, pushing the date of iron a century 2/17/25, 12:22 PM India's Iron Age began in Tamil Nadu 5,300 years ago: Report https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/indias-iron-age-began-in-tamil-nadu-5300-years-ago-report-earlier than Mangadu. “Another significance of this AMS14C date (1692 BCE) is that a sarcophagus burial was dated for the first time in Tamil Nadu,” the authors wrote. Prof Rajan and Sivananthan also wrote extensively about the three different types of iron furnaces unearthed from Kodumanal but one type used to make better-grade iron and steel have not been encountered in Tamil Nadu so far. “Probably these furnaces also might have been used but we have not come across them in our investigations. Future exploration and excavation may throw some light on this aspect,” the report said.

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/indias-iron-age-began-in-tamil-nadu-5300-years-ago-report-3370356, February 13, 2025

The finding by the TNSDA which was validated by 10 experts from across the country is the oldest date available for the Iron Age in India. A broken knife made of iron weighing 23 grams was unearthed during archaeological excavation at Marungur in Cuddalore district on Tuesday, in yet another evidence that the inhabitants of ancient Tamil civilisations were aware of Iron technology. The discovery comes a week after the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) announced that carbon dating of artefacts unearthed from recent archaeological excavations in the state have established that the usage of iron dates back to at least 5,300 years ago. The finding by the TNSDA which was validated by 10 experts from across the country is the oldest date available for the Iron Age in India. Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu, who also holds additional charge of archaeology, said the iron knife, in a broken state, was found at a depth of 257 cm from one of the trenches dug at Marungur archaeological site. “The knife, measuring 13 cm long and 2.88 mm thickness, weighs 22.97 grams. While arrowheads and nails made of iron were found during previous phases of excavation, the discovery of a knife made of iron is indicative of the fact that inhabitants of ancient civilizations mastered the art of iron,” Thenarasu said. Copper coins, agate, glass beads, and rouletted pottery from the Rajaraja Chola period were discovered from the site in the past. “The recent discovery of an iron knife has confirmed that this is a historically significant archaeological site,” Thenarasu added. Archaeologists are looking for evidence of the Iron Age in Marungur and the discovery of an iron knife, though broken, is a significant development. Last week’s findings based on AMS and OSL dating of cultural deposits excavated from Adichanallur, Sivagalai, Mayiladumparai, Mangadu, Thelunganur, and Kilnamandi sites also introduced a new hypothesis that the Copper Age of North India and the Iron Age of South India are probably contemporary. The report by TNSDA said Iron was probably introduced in Tamil Nadu as early as 3345 BCE (5,300 years ago), over a millennium earlier than the previously established date of 2172 BCE arrived at from Mayiladumparai. Excavations are currently on in eight locations across Tamil Nadu, including in Keeladi, the Sangam Era site which rekindled the interest among Tamils in archaeology. Findings from Keeladi have created a buzz in the past few years after artefacts unearthed from there pushed the Sangam Era to 600 BCE from 300 BCE. The Archeological Survey of India, which conducted the first two phases of excavation, also derived the period of the Sangam-era archaeological site to be between 8th century BCE to 3rd century CE.

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/iron-knife-found-in-archaeological-excavation-in-tamil-nadu-3378736, February 14, 2025