Imagine what it would be like to walk through a moonlit Humayun's Tomb or Qutub Minar. Of course, those romantic notions fall flat after a reality check when you realise that Delhi's monuments can turn out to be quite a monumental waste after sunset because they don't get illuminated. Foreign tourists who've visited the capital say they are unable to decode Delhi's obsession with keeping monuments in the literal dark ages, and wish to see these historic sites by night, the way it is in Agra and Rajasthan. Why isn't there any night-viewing, ask firangs

Sarah from France who explored Humayun's Tomb a few months ago, says, "I wanted to spend some time at Humayun's Tomb in the evening, but my guide told me that we had to rush because it closes at 6pm. I am disappointed and, at the same time, really surprised because even though Delhi is home to a number of world heritage sites, not a single monument is open for night-viewing." If Agra and Rajasthan light up their monuments, why can't delhi?

Tourists say Rajasthan and Agra trump Delhi when it comes to night-viewing, particularly in the summer. Christopher, who is from Australia and was visiting the Qutub Minar, says, "We went to the Taj Mahal two-three years ago and I can't express how splendid it looked at night. Yet, not even one monument in Delhi is open for tourists after dark. I would love to visit these monuments in the evening." Michael, a backpacker from the US who has been to Rajasthan, adds,

"I visited two-three cities in Rajasthan during my last trip and attended a programme in Bagore Ki Haveli in Udaipur. The palaces of Udaipur come to life in the evening. We thought it would be the same in Delhi, but I was told that the monuments here close by 5-6pm. I was really disappointed because it was not possible for me to visit the monuments in the afternoon and I had to reschedule my itinerary because of that." For many, Not visiting in the afternoon means not visiting at all

While tourists can rearrange their schedules to visit the monuments by day, those who visit India on business trips can't do the same because by the time they get free from work, the monuments are closed to visitors. Jennifer, who was on a four-day visit to India, explains, "I have been to India Gate after sunset. I would love to have such an experience during the evening at other monuments and see them lit up like the palaces of Jaipur. I have visited India eight-nine times, but they were for business purposes and I only got free in the evening. By then, all the monuments were either closed or it was so dark that they weren't even visible."

Chagnon, who is from Canada, adds, "Security issues should be dealt with so that people like me who come for a brief time can visit these monuments whenever they have time. Most world heritage sites are lit the entire evening, so I don't understand why they remain unlit in Delhi." Sites not lit up due to security issues

While locals say the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should repackage the capital for the global traveller, ASI officials say it would cause security issues. On the condition of anonymity, an ASI official explained, "A big problem is security. Years back, Renuka Chaudhary wanted to transform Delhi's image at night, but it never worked out because of the security issue. On various occasions, these monuments have been lit up, but doing so every day would lead to problems." Lit up monuments would increase footfall

Sachin Bansal, chief explorer of a group, which conducts heritage walks in Mehrauli, tells us, "Most foreigners say they want to spend their evenings here and ask why the monuments aren't lit up. Most feedback forms have this complaint. If all of UNESCO's heritage sites are illuminated, it would increase footfall."

Humayun's Tomb (16th century) is illuminated during programmes like Jahan E Khusrau and VIP visits. Red Fort (17th century) is illuminated on Independence Day and Republic Day. Sound and light shows are conducted at the monument.

Qutub Minar (13th century) used to be illuminated every evening for a brief period, but this was later discontinued. It was lit blue last year to spread awareness on Diabetics Day.

Three years ago, the government had planned to illuminate various monuments with solar light, but this measure has still not been implemented. The premises of these monuments have lights, but the monument themselves are not lit up.

- The Times of India, December 1, 2015

The historical Kaiserbagh and its surrounding areas are in for improvement under the Lucknow Municipal Corporation's plan for Lucknow Smart City based on suggestions received from people on Facebook, Twitter, LMC's website, email and on-ground consultation programmes. Though number of ideas posted on mygov.in were few, LMC managed to evoke good ideas from public in its consultation programmes organised in last few months.

Smart City plan has two models to be adopted in all selected cities—Retrofitting and Pan-City. Retrofitting means revamping buildings and improving infrastructure without changing the original character of the area. LMC has selected Kaiserbagh heritage area for development under retrofitting. Pan-City model requires a facility to be developed across city which is accessible to every resident. For this, LMC wants to develop a unified public service delivery portal system accessible to all.

Under retrofitting, LMC has identified area from Kaiserbagh Chouraha to Latouche Road, Hewett road up to Hussainganj and Burlington crossing. This further connects with the Cantonment area on left side. Additional municipal commissioner P K Srivastava said, "We realised Kaiserbagh heritage area is too small for implementing retrofitting model. We need to develop more residential areas here to accommodate growing population. Following people's advice, we have expanded the development area around Kaiserbagh."

Lucknowites pointed out their most poignant grievances are corruption and poor transport facilities. To curb corruption and bribery, LMC will launch a portal giving information on tenders, projects, contact numbers of all development agencies and to facilitate people to pay dues and taxes online. "This will encourage more e-governance and transparency to save people from facing the red-tape," said an official.

LMC has also drafted integrated urban mobility plan under pan-city which will require participation from all agencies like PWD, traffic, transport, LDA, etc. There is proposal to widen major roundabouts and roads of city. LMC said it will enable bus shelters with GPS so that people know exact schedule of buses. A road over Haider canal is also proposed to ease out commuting from Rajajipuram to Sadar Bazar. Response makes site crash

Due to overwhelming response from residents on last day of posting suggestions on mygov.in, the site went out of order for more than four hours. It displayed 'site under maintenance' for many hours due to excessive traffic. Hence, many people waiting for the last day couldn't post their ideas. Few also felt the deadline would probably be extended because the site was not working properly.

- The Times of India, December 1, 2015

As the housing needs of the Valley have been projected to grow manifold in the coming years amid haphazard mushrooming of colonies and encroachment of agricultural land in the past, town planners are now moving to the city outskirts and going vertical. A report of the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) had termed the housing problem in the summer capital “acute”. The report revealed that 91 per cent of residential stock was built by the general public in an unplanned manner resulting in growth of slums and haphazard development.

While the Agriculture Department figures reveal that the Valley has lost 3.5 lakh hectares to rampant commercialisation, SDA figures say there is a requirement of 1.37 lakh new plots for Srinagar by 2020. To cater to the housing needs, the government is planning to develop a few vertical colonies, mostly on the city outskirts and the SDA has proposed acquisition of 32,000 kanals in the next 20 years.

In February last year, the work on the much-touted Shehjar apartments, Bemina project, which would be Srinagar’s first vertical colony. Deputy Commissioner Farooq Ahmad Lone, who is also the in-charge and vice-chairman of the SDA, said construction works at the colony were at the final stage, adding that housing was an ‘important sector’ and was on priority of the government.

Shehjar colony is expected to have 532 residential apartments with facilities like community centre, marriage hall, pent houses, convenient shopping, kiosks, tennis and badminton court, besides provisions for sewage treatment plant (STP), electric substation (ESS), solar street lighting and cavity walls/blocks for insulation and energy savings. Lone said Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had passed strict directions to the SDA, Housing and other departments concerned for initiating and completing housing projects in a time-bound manner.

The other proposed housing project of the SDA is planned to come up at Rakh-e-GundAkshah, which is being projected as the ‘most modern township’ that would have a mini zoo and a golf club. For the middle income group, Gulposh apartments are planned on the Bemina Budgam Road that would have one to two bedroom sets among other projects. All these will be vertical housing colonies that are part of the government plan to prevent the misuse of agriculture land.

Besides, the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board had set up seven colonies in the Valley, including ones at Ompura in Budgam district, Bemina, Berthana and Bag-i-Mehtab in the city outskirts, besides Kanil Bagh, Kanth Bagh, Gutyar, in Baramulla but they were launched after the 80’s. However, the vision for the completion of proposed vertical colonies would get accomplished after the finalisation of the Srinagar Master Plan that has hit several roadblocks in the past.

In March, the SDA itself had pointed to ‘grave errors’ in the master plan amid allegations that no proper ground work had been done by former officials of the agency for preparing the draft. The Kashmir chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) too had underscored the need of revisiting the previous master plan keeping in view the heritage concerns of Srinagar.

Later, the SDA sought suggestions from various experts, representatives of civil society, traders and students to draft a new master plan. Chief Town Planner Iftikhar Hakeem said the work on completion of the master plan was underway and it would take three to four months to finalise the same.

- The Tribune, December 1, 2015

The heritage structures that speak of the city's glorious past weren't even documented until two years back. This promptedthe Heritage Conservation Committee to prepare the first ever detailed catalogue of all the heritage sites along with their photographs and GPS links. The task of documentation was assigned to Women's Education Society's Smt. Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture (SMMCA). As the catalogue is almost nearing the completion stage, its current status can be accessed at Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) website. Following its completion within a few months, a coffee-table consisting the catalogue will be published.

Associate Professor SMMCA Neeta Lambe, said, "With the latest documentation done by the college students, one can easily vew photographs along with the Google map highlighting the heritage location, its historical background, architectural significance, present condition and intervention required to restore particular heritage site. All this just a click away."

On October 15 2003, the state government had released a list of 138 heritage sites and updated it with 17 more sites on December 16, 2004. With no source of detailed documents, students, researchers, tourists or even the government body had no official source to rely on. Moreover, the list prepared in 2003 and 2004 was buried under a pile of files at government offices and citizens had no access to them.

Soon the committee realized that just the list was not enough. They took a decision that every single sight should be classified on the basis of its history and architectural significance. The need to make data available to every citizen too was the hour of the need. "At this point a team of 10 students, headed by their professor Neeta Lambe from SMMCA, was assigned the work two years back," informed architect Ashok Mokha, member of the committee. Appreciating the job done by the students' team, Mokha said, "They are gathering every small details by going around every nook and corner of the city. In future, we wish to involve more colleges in the documents updating process."

"Documentation of heritage structures is a painstaking job but it helps to know the historical significance of the heritage structure. The need to make information about heritage sites available to all prompted the committee to embarke on this ambitious project. It also helps remove confusion among the owner of the structure and helps in its preservation and upkeep," he added. However, absence of proper documents in some cases has made the job tough for the committee, Mokha pointed out.

- The Times of India, December 1, 2015

As another Margazhi Season begins, Chitra Swaminathanfinds the festival poised gracefully on the cuspbetween traditional and modern, old and young

ven as we recover from the heavy downpours that have battered the city this monsoon, the next season is already upon us. A season that also unleashes a long, intense spell, but this time a rain of ragas, a flood of rasikas and a cool line-up of artists.

Sceptics can cast a cloud over the future of classical performing arts, but enthusiasts will always see the most vivid rainbow of hope in the fervour with which the city greets Margazhi. Margazhi is no longer just for the Tamil calendar; it has gained global significance. If the West has its Salzburg, the East has Chennai.

In the past decade, it has expanded from being only a sacrosanct platform for the traditional to making ample room for the experimental. The season no longer celebrates ideological status quo with rigidity, and has ceased to be a remote world of ageing maestros and elderly rasikas. The new generation is making its presence felt strongly; shouting out a vibrant hello from among both performers and listeners.

Nothing proves this better than the fact that the winner of the coveted Sangita Kalanidhi award this year is Sanjay Subrahmanyam, who at 47 joins the illustrious galaxy inhabited by Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, G.N. Balasubramaniam, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and M.L. Vasanthakumari, who were conferred the title before they turned 50. A chartered accountant by training, Sanjay's unflinching belief in the authenticity of the Carnatic tradition is established with every concert that he performs.

He proves over and over again that it is approach, hard work and training that matter. A master of nuance, he has endeared himself to music-lovers with the power and passion of his voice, his classicism, and his unusual interpretation of ragas. The love and devotion showered by rasikas can be as invigorating as the music itself, but one needs to be physically and mentally prepared to go through the grind of sustained sadhagam to get it, and also have the maturity to handle rejections and triumphs.

“When you make a debut in the afternoon slot with just a handful of listeners, moving to the 4 p.m. session before finally going on stage for a near-houseful evening kutcheri: it’s your learning and zeal that handhold you,” says prominent Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashri. “You realise at every step that there are no short cuts.”

Jayashri grew up learning both Hindustani and Carnatic styles and along the way widened her perspective with initiatives that took her beyond the classicism of her art. “You may travel around the world, perform at swanky auditoriums and engage in cross-genre collaborations, but nothing can be as gratifying as the echo of applause at a sabha during Margazhi,” she says.

“The widening appeal of this festival fills me with positive energy,” says master violinist T.N. Krishnan, for whom this December Season marks the 80th year of his journey as a performer. “Though some think there’s more chaos with a profusion of sabhas and kutcheris, I think the festival lends a unique character to this city. Where else would you witness a celebration of art of this magnitude,

” he asks, talking about how his long stewardship with stalwarts at the beginning of his career has given him the strength to find a balance between old and new sensibilities. For 30 years he played as accompanist before turning soloist. “This year, I will be performing four concerts, one of which is at Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, where I had performed as a nine-year-old,” laughs the 87-year-old.

“The remarkable aspect of this festival is that it’s about fond memories and promises of a better tomorrow,” says M. Krishnamurthy, secretary of Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha. “People throng to hear the past masters as much as they do to hear new voices.” For sabha officials, it’s quite a task drawing up the schedule and accommodating the massive number of artists, quite a few whom are based outside India. They also need to plan the canteen menu, which is as much a crowd puller.

“The saapadu-swara fusion works like nothing else,” laughs Krishnamurthy. “We have almost six performance slots, beginning with the well-attended lec-dem sessions at 8.30 a.m. From a 15-day festival, the Season has grown into a month-long affair. But it’s delightful to see so many youngsters entering the field of classical music and corporate bodies stepping in with financial support. Far from being intimidating, classical now comes across as fresh and forward-looking,” says Krishnamurthy.

- The Hindu, December 1, 2015

Data gathered from the global positioning system (GPS) devices recovered from the attackers suggested that they crossed over to Bamiyal town in Pathankot, close to the international border.

Four months after the Dinanagar attack, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday said that it has no physical evidence that the three militants had crossed in from Pakistan through the Punjab border.

Data gathered from the global positioning system (GPS) devices recovered from the attackers suggested that they crossed over to Bamiyal town in Pathankot, close to the international border. The BSF does not contest the data.

“The BSF scanned the entire Punjab border but could not find any physical evidence to establish that the terrorists used the Punjab border to enter into India from Pakistan,” said BSF Inspector General BSF Punjab Anil Paliwal. He was speaking to the media on the occasion of the Force’s Gloden Jubilee event. Paliwal said that although the state police were investigating the matter, it was yet to share any information with the Force.

GPS data, collected by the Punjab Police, suggested that the attackers crossed into Bamiyal over the Ravi river. They then walked down the Amritsar-Jammu highway to get to Dinanagar, the data suggested. BSF sources said that there are nearly three dozen water bodies including river, seasonal streams and nullahs at the border, which were checked well.

- The Indian Express, December 1, 2015

The fact that we eat rice and daal together could be attributed to it being such an old practice that it has become a habit for most.Scientific studies have indicated that consuming these two together, increases the protein intake of a person.

This was one nugget of information found by researchers of the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), who started documenting good practices for `Parampara', a catalogue for the Ministry of Culture, published in 2012. That work formed the basis of `Parampara', India's documentation of climate-friendly and sustainable practices, for when the country was represented at COP 21 in Paris.

Kartikeya Sarabhai, director of CEE, said that our heritage includes intangible heritage such as food, living habits, clothes, dwellings and traditional knowledge. "We felt that if it is not documented in time, this knowledge may get lost," he said.

He added that their effort was to put forth practices to the world which can be an inspiration to other countries to identify their cultural heritage and assess its significance in contemporary times.

- The Times of India, December 1, 2015

The Airport Authority of India will generate 100 megawatt power from solar energy to light up the under-construction Ajmer airport at Kishangarh. In this regard, the AAI's technical team recently earmarked an area to install the solar cell plates recently. "The solar electricity generated will be given to the Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited which in turn will provide it to the Ajmer airport," said BK Tailang, airport director, Jaipur, who is incharge of the Ajmer airport.

The electricity produced here would be sufficient to run the airport initially. A technical team has inspected the area and found it suitable to install a solar plant. Meanwhile, considering the scarcity of water in Kishangarh area, the AAI is building a water harvesting system. TNN

"The new airport will witness some 'experiments' to ensure that it produces its own resources," said Tailang. The authorities have roped in IIT-Bombay for developing a modern sewage treatment plant for re-use of water.

The availability of water is a prime concern for the AAI as the groundwater table in Kishangarh is very deep and the quality of water is also not good.

The Ajmer airport will have a building management system which will automatically light up the room sensing presence of passengers. "As part of our social responsibility, we will develop some facilities in nearby villages too. We will develop toilets under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan," said Tailang.

- The Hindu, December 2, 2015

The Sungai Batu archaeology site, believed to be the oldest settlement in South-East Asia, should be turned into a living cultural gallery. Director of USM’s Centre for Global Archaeological Research Prof Datuk Dr Mokhtar Saidin said the site, some 20km from here, could be modelled after the Iron Museum in Seoul, South Korea. He said the discovery of an ancient iron smelting foundry was proof there was internatio-nal demand, adding that around the jetty ruins were mounds of rubble containing iron slag and ingots.

“A living cultural gallery at the site will ‘revive’ the ancient civilisation in Merbok dating back 535 BC and it will certainly help to boost tourism here. “The people will understand what the town, which dated back some 2,500 years and thrived for centuries, is all about. “It is a proposal to both the state and federal governments to turn this place into a gallery,” he said during the 1st IMT-GT (Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Trian-gle) Archaeology Workshop at the site yesterday.

Prof Mokhtar said the discovery was a boon to archaeo-tourism in the state as travellers might want to visit the site which is “between” Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Borobudur Buddhist Temple in Indonesia. He said similarly, those who visit the heritage enclave in George Town might want to explore this site and Guar Kepah, said to be Penang’s only prehistoric site in Seberang Prai.

Guar Kepah contains ancient shell middens or mounds sitting on sandy ridges. “Besides the ancient shipwrecks, a port with 10 jetties, a ritual site for worship and administration structures near the jetties, we also found something special and unique.

“Here, there used to be an iron smelting industry. We found iron ore, furnace, tuyere, iron slag and ingots in more than 10 sites, from 535 BC until 17th Century AD. “The ingots were exported to India, the Middle East, Europe, Korea and Japan. According to Sanskrit language, this region is known as ‘the iron bowl’. “The tourism package is already there for all to tap into. What we have here is more orderly than Borobudur and Angkor Wat,” he said.

Prof Mokhtar said some of his PhD students had been sent out to countries in Middle East and Europe to check out the swords used in that period of time. “We want to know whether the iron really came from here. We can trace the minor elements of each iron and do a test on that.”

- www.thestar.com, December 2, 2015

The cinegoers all over India are in for a gala treat as the film festival season is set in full swing. First it was MAMI (Mumbai International Film Festival, organised by Mumbai Academy of the Mumbai Image), followed by the recently-concluded (KIFF) and now the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) came shortly knocking at the threshold of Goa.

With the change of guard at state administration level in West Bengal, there has been a noticeable “paribartan” in hosting its cultural programmes too. The annual government calendar sees a bouquet of important activities to be staged with global audiences as its target-group to be catered to.

However, over the last four winters since the historic handover from Left-regime to a populist “maa mati maanush” brigade under an electoral mandate in 2011, every festive affair took a more vibrant, mass-oriented turn from the erstwhile niche, elitist look that it wore. Of course, this was one of didi’s — ruling chief minister and Trinamul Congress party supremo Mamata Banerjee — foremost agendas to drop the sterner, secluded garb and open the movie spectacle to all and sundry.

But when so much is going on to shoot TRPs and climb up the chart of fame, one wonders then what went wrong with single-screen theatres that are deplorably languishing in dilapidated conditions in negligence and want of care. Several have been razed to the ground to give way to malls, multiplexes, market complexes and high-rises. In the spree of thus lending a progressive facelift to centuries-old cities, often their old world charm and quintessential flavours get lost in process.

In its 29th year, the landmark festival titled International Forum of New Cinema under the broad framework of KIFF has yet gain kicked up the above issue that’s been plaguing the City of Joy for a while now. Unlike its parent banner, it still manages to cling onto the nostalgia and retain its old school of thought, by towing in veterans of art-house, realistic cinema.

From adherents of yesteryear Marxist ideology to present-day supporters of “grassroots” politics, all have graced the occasion to light the lamp and unfurl the festival. This time, the gong was sounded by legendary Bengali film actress Madhabi Mukherjee. Keeping it a low-key, lack-lustre affair as usual, this time, the venue was but shifted to Elite cinema hall from the reputed Metro theatre.

When probed, the festival authorities re-iterated the shut-down crisis of single-screen theatre-houses and cited fund-crunch problems to reinstate this carnival of new cinema to its former glory. Similar danger may be lurking upon the other famous halls of erstwhile Calcutta which would invariably showcase classic cinema. e.g. Basusree, Lighthouse, New Empire, Globe, Chaplin, et al. But before they tumble down to a collapsing fate, hope a miracle happens to save the impending disaster. The renowned heritage premises of Star Theatre in Kolkata (originally built during the British Raj in 1883) situated in its northern Hati Bagan fringes was finally restored to its pristine image by the local municipal corporation from an inevitable doom after a part of it was destroyed in fire.

A horde of eminent personalities like Vidyasagar, Ramakrishna Parama-hamsa and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore had visited this site to watch innumerable stage shows as that was the only source of entertainment in performing arts, those days. Albeit the historical building was rescued from a permanent damage, yet fingers were pointed at its commercialisation for screening more films to earn revenue from ticket-sales at the counter windows than staging theatrical productions on its August natya- mancha.

Cine Central President Shyamal Kumar Sen fondly recalled the dirt-cheap ticket prices of the past in comparison to today’s exorbitant rates. “Considering the market that existed say, roughly five-six decades ago, a movie ticket costing even as low as 6.5-10 annas would mean a lot to us. It would be quite a pocket-pinch when as students we used to throng at cinema halls to enjoy movie-viewing. I still remember coming to this place to catch a film in my younger days,” he goes on a flashback mode standing at the podium inside Elite’s vast auditorium.

The old-styled architecture, large side-walled spinning fans, plastic seats, a massive hanging balcony, moth-bitten carpeted floors and a giant screen in front conspicuously reverberate the same ambience in practically all old halls across the country. While some have heaved a sigh of relief into the nourishing hands of private ownership, others lie gasping for maintenance and makeover, long overdue.

Incidentally, 2015 is Cine Central Calcutta’s stepping stone towards celebrating the golden jubilee year as a film society after its inception in 1965 by a bunch of leading cinema-literate luminaries. Occupying a seat of pride in the hearts of cineastes and film practitioners, the body has consistently made efforts to inject a healthy film culture within discreet moviegoers who have consciously lived and breathed cinema for the love of the medium. “We have to constantly fight all odds by combining tradition with modernity to sustain the rich legacy of this biggest cine club,” comments Sen.

Offering a much-needed platform to showcase talents of fresh, emerging filmmakers alongside a coterie of established names, the current edition of IFNC granted the cinebuffs with an opportunity to check out and experience new waves and trends in the multifarious sphere of world cinema.

A total of 40 entries were received from across 17 nations to encapsulate the festival schedule which was entirely divided into different segments. The inaugural film was Quiet Bliss, a moving and thought-provoking Italian venture helmed by director Edoardo Winspeare. A comprehensive package of European, Scandinavian, middle-eastern, Belarusian, Bangladeshi and Latin American films summed up the schedule for this year’s fiesta. Doyen actress Madhabi Mukherjee rewound her memory to reminisce about the maiden international film festival held in Mumbai back in 1952 under the premiership of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

- The Asian Age, December 2, 2015

Once the most important government building in the town, the Queen Mary High School in Old Town is now dilapidated. The 300-year-old building has a history of housing the Collectorate in the beginning of 19th century. Such a historical structure is on the verge of extinction.

All the six classrooms on the first floor, and a few other rooms are in a rundown condition, with last year’s cyclone Hudhud having completely destroyed the tiled-roof, leaving the rest of it to collapse anytime. The stairs leading to the classrooms are also heavily damaged by time and elements. According to Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) member Edward Paul, who made a study of the site, the Queen Mary Building was the oldest in the district.

According to his study, though the building came into existence between 1840 and 1850, it has Dutch architecture. He said that there were several evidences, including a map of 1758 of One Town area, which had an ‘L’ shaped building resembling the present one. To confirm the present building as one mentioned in the map will be a matter of discussion, he said.

“Going into history, the British used to store ammunition in the building and later the ammunition centre was shifted to Madras. Interestingly even Andhra Medical School used to run from the same building before being moved later. The building also housed some other government offices. As per the records made on August 15, 1913, the building was made the office of the district collector,” said Paul.

On a visit to the school today, one can find collector’s room converted into a classroom, with two of its exit doors fitted with pulleys which were used to run the fans manually. The Queen Mary School opened on March 1, 1913, and was run from a nearby building. It was said to be moved to the building in 1940s.

The School was started by the British exclusively for young widows. “The school was only for widowed girls, as after the sati system was abolished, widows were sent to schools. Because of stigma attached to them, normal girls used to feel inconvenient to sit beside them. Keeping the practice in view, the British opened the Queen Mary High School for girl widows and used to pay them `15 stipend.

The stipend was more than the teacher’s salary,” said Paul, who collected evidence on the existence of the school. The proofs for the building housing the Collectorate and the school were collected from a library in London. “The building is a heritage structure which needs to be protected and renovated. Unfortunately, the authorities are least concerned for the oldest building of Visakhapatnam,” rues Edward. Oldest Library

The library of the Queen Mary School is straight out of a story book with a number of wooden almirahs round the room packed with rare books of the 18th and early 19th centuries and some books of even the 17th century. A huge collection of encyclopedias, knowledge books, Maths books, literature and many more are stored in the library.

According to school’s drawing teacher Anil Babu Joshi, the only person taking care of the library, there are 8,000 books in the library and most of them belong to the pre-1950 era. Due to space crunch in the school, three faculty members use it as rest room during school hours. Joshi, a bibliophile, took the responsibility of protecting the rare books.

- The Indian Express, December 2, 2015

A two-member team of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi, today visited the Deputy Commissioner’s office in order to inspect and observe whether the over-a-century old building could be preserved or not.

The team has verbally affirmed and informed the district administration that the heritage structure could be preserved and they would submit a blueprint regarding rebuilding of the damaged portion. This was confirmed by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Tejinder Pal Singh.

Over one-and-a-half-century-old architectural heritage suffered immense damage when a massive fire broke out on the upper floor of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on November 4. Rooms of the upper floor were being used as the record rooms. The rooms had many paper documents with heritage value which were gutted in the fire.The entire floor had a wooden floor due to which the fire was still simmering in the complex.

“The conservation and heritage management of this historic structure would be executed in consultation with department of culture and tourism, Punjab,” said the ADC. The Punjab government has sent a proposal to INTACH in this regard. The team headed by Ruknuddin Mirza, senior conservation architect, arrived to survey the damaged portion of the building. It also evaluated the extent of the damage after the fire incident. Interacting with the ADC, Mirza informed him that they would submit an initial assessment report to the Punjab government within 10 days.

“A high-level team of INTACH will prepare a blueprint to rebuild the damaged portion as per its previous historic and heritage significance,” said Mirza while adding that the department would be working in tandem with the department of tourism and culture of Punjab to maintain the heritage architecture of this building. He said they had assessed the damage and observed that the walls of the building were safe and strong while the ceilings and floors would have to be relaid. He said after submission of the initial assessment report and getting it approved by the Punjab government, they would initiate the work in this regard.

- The Tribune, December 3, 2015

The continuous downpour has brought to light an ancient underground structure at the 500-year-old Gurramkonda fort in the district. The structure, 10 feet wide and 30 feet deep, is located near the old Idgah on the fort premises and is believed to be an old well that supplied drinking water to the royal family and the fort residents.

According to local police, a group of people in Gurramkonda village noticed a large hole on the ground on Wednesday morning. As the news spread, hundreds of people from nearby villages rushed to the fort to see the new find. The police had to cordon off the area and faced a tough time controlling the surging crowd.

Gurramkonda sub-inspector Rama Krishna told TOI that the continuous rain in the last fortnight had washed away the topsoil on the fort premises exposing the underground structure "We examined the structure and perused old records. The preliminary informa tion is that it is an ancient well. It was closed down in the past as it hampered the movement of people," he pointed out adding that they had alerted the archae ology department.

However, Prof Vellore Ramabrah mam of the archaeology department of Yogi Vemana University , Kadapa, has several other ideas of what the structure could have been. It could have been a bun ker for the king and his family to hide during rebellions, or an underground unnel to escape from the invading army, he said. It could also be an old drainage system or an extinct river course. "We need to study the structure in detail to ar rive at a conclusion," he added.

Prof P Bhaskar Reddy of Sri Venkateswara University said Gurramkonda is a historic fort dating back to the medieval period. It was constructed during the rule of the Vijayanagara kings and was later controlled by the Marathas, Tipu Sultan and the British rulers.

The fort is located about 70 km from Tirupati town on the Bangalore highway . It was originally made of mud on a hillock. As its name suggests, (Gurram means horse in Telugu, and Konda means hill), the rulers used horses to reach the fort as it is about 500 ft above the ground. It has an Idgah, a temple and the tomb of Mir Raza Ali Khan, the Nawab of Gurramkonda.

- The Times of India, December 3, 2015

Lotus cultivation hampered the holding capacity of tanks

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has appealed to the State government to protect waterbodies in Kanyakumari district. Its district convenor R.S. Lal Mohan said that Kanyakumari was blessed with numerous tanks excavated by the Venad Kings for storing rainwater. The tanks formed part and parcel of the eco-system. Pechiparai dam fed over 2,000 tanks through hundreds of canals, irrigating over 20,000 hectares of paddy fields. The irrigation system was meticulously planned to reach even the tail-end parts such as Chungankadai hills.

If one tank in the irrigation system got blocked, the whole system would fail and lead to severe water shortage. The entire canal irrigation system from Pechiparai dam was meticulously planned by hydrologists Minchin and Jobb.

Copious amount of rainwater from the heights of western ghats drained into the Arabian Sea. The streams deposited nutrient-rich silt into the tanks. Farmers of erstwhile Travancore State had devised a method called ‘kudimaramathu’ and desilted the tanks annually on a regular basis.

However the system had been discontinued resulting in reduced water holding capacity in tanks. Lotus cultivation also hampered the holding capacity of tanks. Owing to human interference, waterbodies were facing a threat. Major projects such as laying four-lane roads also posed a threat to the waterbodies as they would swallow more than 100 large tanks.

There was no transparency on the part of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) authorities as they term tanks and wetlands as government Poromboke lands. The NHAI should implement the project without affecting the waterbodies, Dr. Lal Mohan said.

Development should not take place by destroying waterbodies and wetlands. No country could prosper if its ecology was destroyed. The flood disaster in Chennai and Tuticorin was the fallout of destruction of waterbodies and drainage system. Houses were allowed to be constructed on dry waterbodies even as rules and regulations were blatantly violated.

“The happenings in Chennai and Tuticorin will replicate in Kanyakumari if we fail to hear advice from knowledgeable people. It is high time the government conducted a study and formulated a land policy by earmarking residential areas, low-lying areas, wetlands, and follow land use specifications. Satellite and remote sensing can be used for the purpose, as being done in developed countries,” he also added.

- The Hindu, December 4, 2015

Call it inordinate delay in the preservation work or lack of a professional approach on the part of the Departments of Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums, Punjab, involved in its conservation, the beautiful fresco adorning the four walls of a room on the terrace of the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the historic Ram Bagh has been ruined.

The rare fresco which depicts Lord Krishna during Raasleela has been damaged which has not only upset heritage lovers but also raised eyebrows about the seriousness of the government in preserving the invaluable heritage.

The department even failed to do the necessary documentation of the frescos though the monument has been under its possession for a long time now. Before the restoration work started in 2007, the department used to run a museum on the ground floor of the heritage structure while the terrace remained neglected.

It was converted into a museum in 1975. It is ironical that the department entrusted with the conservation and preservation of the cultural heritage of the state failed to notice the importance of rare frescos. The priceless frescoes are an invaluable part of Punjab’s heritage. The period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the Renaissance period in Punjab when art and architecture flourished under his patronage.

The Summer Palace was recently opened for conservation, which has been stopped midway reportedly due to lack of funds. It remained closed for almost a year. The conservation work started after almost two years. A major portion of the beautiful wall paintings is history now while a small portion still exists. A conservation expert involved in the work pointed out on condition of anonymity that the wall paintings should have been preserved on a priority basis. He said the damaged portion is not possible to be retrieved or replicated in the absence of any documentation.

Jatinder Singh Sandhu, who is supervising the preservation work, said, “What is lost is lost. We are preserving whatever we have at present. We took up the preservation work around a couple of months ago.” It is very difficult to recreate the lost fresco until and unless there is some documentation. He said the Tourism Department did not have the documentation of the wall paintings, adding that he was not aware if the ASI had done it or not.

He added that cracks had appeared on the walls of the said room which might be the reason for the ruining of the wall paintings. Currently, we have sealed all entry points by repairing the doors and other wooden work besides reconstructing the roofs which were extensively damaged with the passage of time.

Professor (Dr) Balvinder Singh, a conservation expert and former head of the Guru Ram Das School of Planning, Guru Nanak Dev University, said, “If the department has done the documentation of the frescoes, either traditionally or in a digital way, there is a possibility to revive it. Otherwise there is no hope,” he said, adding that restoration should be carried out on a war footing and by professionals only.

The structure is at present under the possession of Department of Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums, Punjab. It was entrusted with the work in 2007. The historic structure was declared a monument of national importance in October 2004. However, it was never handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The tussle between the ASI and the Tourism Department over the possession of this immensely significant historic structure has adversely affected its maintenance.

- The Tribune, December 4, 2015

Artist Katharina Kakar portrays suppression of women with roses and body imagery

Right at the heart of Visual Arts Gallery at India Habitat Centre, Delhi, a large circular bed of rose petals on the floor was bordered by innumerable distorted wax female body parts. This was German artist Katharina Kakar commenting on the consequences of crossing moral boundaries in India, and represented women’s vulnerability in public space. Aptly, the piece has been titled Crossing the Lakshmana Rekha. It is based on a story from the Ramayana, where Lakshman draws a line around Sita’s house and asks her not to cross it. When she does, Sita is abducted by the demon king Ravan.

The exhibition catalogue elucidates the 48-year-old artist’s views. She writes, “It was no coincidence that the crossing of the Laskshman Rekha was quoted so often by politicians after the Nirbhaya case.

” It is this stereotype that Goa-based Kakar has set to challenge and help “reclaim the public space denied to women, considered to be the domain of men”. Her exhibition “Crossing the Lakshmana Rekha: Shakti, Sensuality, Sexuality”, curated by Alka Pande, questions the role of tradition and women’s sexuality from the female perspective.

Of the many examples proving this point out of the 58 drawings and wall installations on display, is Screw You, a set of reddish-purple female wax heads, representing women living life on their own terms. These are those independent voices that have disregarded the cultural expectations of a patriarchal society, and are looked upon with contempt and suspicion.

In Mirror Image, nine “pure” white heads rest above their distorted purple copies, which are covered by condoms, as the artist challenges the idea of the ideal Indian bride. Young women are expected not to “be seen in public with male friends, not to drink, smoke or party hard, and dress in a certain manner, to give the right image of themselves to their neighborhood and environment, and remain good marriage material”.

“In my interactions with young women across India, I witnessed a lot of bottled-up anger for not being given the freedom that their brothers had and being forced to repress their sexual curiosity. The cultural idea of a good woman does not allow her any sexual desires without being shamed and disrespected,” she says, “Many of these girls choose not to disclose to their parents about their partners in this fear. Why can’t women be expressive of their desires?”

Kakar’s personal experiences have also served inspiration for her works. “Why is it that whenever I am reading a book in a park, I can’t do it in peace? I have to constantly be on a lookout if male eyes are gazing at me. Many women who visited my show said they were really touched that I talked about these problems that they have faced for so many years,” she adds. Memory of the Future houses 144 pink bronze sculptures of skulls and remembers the bodies of aborted female foetuses.

The title of her installation December 16,2012, where a rod lies inserted into a wooden item, takes less time to decipher the case in focus — the Delhi gang rape. “Tremendous violence is committed against women by men who are not able to handle women like us,” she says.

- The Indian Express, December 4, 2015

The Koti Women’s College, which shot to fame globally after William Dalrymple’s book ‘White Mughals’, has finally got a fresh lease of life after being on the restoration list for almost two decades.

A project implementation committee meeting held on Thursday decided to speed up the restoration work at the college. Some of the major decisions include monthly progress report, inventory and cataloguing of movable assets, mapping of building services, adaptive reuse policy, testing of building materials and restoration of miniature model and historic gardens (Rang Mahal).

The Project is a collaborative effort between Osmania University, Hyderabad (OU); Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Telangana (GoT) and World Monuments Fund, New York (WMF). As part of the collaboration, a Conservation Management Plan has been prepared outlining the conservation measures, adaptive reuse of the historic property including regulated public access to historic spaces.

Fund raising for implementation of various conservation, adaptive reuse and management measures is in process. B T Seetha, principal, Koti Women’s College, said, “Restoration works have begun at a cost of Rs 1.7 crore and an assurance of Rs 4.5 crore from the WMF.” The WMF will release funds subject to the condition that the State government too allots funds.

The State Archaeology department released Rs 1 crore and the college authorities are hopeful that more funds would be allotted this year. In phase one, emergency repairs to the Durbar Hall building, structural consolidation of western portion of Durbar Hall block, removal of modern accretions to restore the authentic façade of the western balcony,

reconstruction of Madras Terrace Roof and wooden roof and water proofing of the Durbar Hall building using traditional methods would be taken up. The total time period for completion of phase one works is 18 months.

- http://www.thehansindia.com/, December 4, 2015

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is yet to take up the conservation of an ancient Parvati idol at Trimbakeshwar temple. A letter was sent to the chemology department of the ASI Aurangabad in Aurangabad to carry out the study of the idol on the basis of which conservation can be done. But the conservation work has not yet begun.

Recently, the trustees of the Trimbakeshwar temple met the director general of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi, and sought the intervention of experts to prevent the prestigious idol dated back to 18th century Peshwa era.

The idol is in a bad shape and its parts could give way any time, the trustees said. The chemology department is in charge of chemical conservation of heritage structures.

But the conservation work is yet to begin. Trustee of the temple, Lalita Shinde, who met the director general of ASI, Rakesh Tewari in New Delhi said, "The letter to be drafted was done when I went to Delhi in October but no one even visited the temple to study the idol and initiate the conservation work."

The idol has been carved out of a single stone and dates back to 1755 and 1785 AD. But over time the idol lost its sheen, and repaired and installed against by the trust in 1955.

An official from ASI, Aurangabad said, "We have not yet received the letter. As soon as we receive it, we will send a team of our officials to conduct a study and decide what can be done with the idol."

- The Times of India, December 4, 2015

Foreign tourists, heritage enthusiasts explore the charm of Old Delhi in a heritage walk organised by Intach Delhi Chapter

Accompanied by a historian who led the group, heritage enthusiasts, photographers and foreign tourists on Saturday roamed around the narrow lanes of Old Delhi exploring historical buildings and areas that are representative of every period in the history of Shahjahanbad, which was once the capital of the Mughals.

The heritage walk organised by Intach Delhi Chapter focused on the imperial city of Shahjahanabad established in the mid-seventeenth by the emperor Shahjahan as his capital.

“The structures do not remain but the name still remains,” said Aradhana Sinha, the historian who led the group. The group started off at Chandni Chowk’s Town Hall built by Jahanara, the favourite daughter of Shahjahan. “She helped her father in chalking out a plan to build the market place. There used to be a pool in the middle of the town hall which used to reflect the moonlight,” explained Aradhana. Earlier known as Beghum Bagh, the garden has now been turned into the office of the Municipal Commissioner.

Moving on, the group headed towards Katra Nil, a gully where traders moved from Agra to Delhi. The traders were worshippers of Lord Shiva and almost every home in this lane has a Shivling in the courtyard. The locality has beautifully carved facades of havelis. The group went into an abandoned haveli which were into ruins. The dilapidated pillars inside the haveli had curved archs which are called Shahjahani archs.

“People who used to live here have migrated to other localities. These abandoned havelis have remains which can be preserved and restored. They can be turned into restaurants, hotels in keeping with the main architecture of the building, reviving and restoring it. Then only tourism can be boosted,” suggested Aradhana. The historian was disappointed to see that the havelis have turned into godowns and the condition of the gates was deplorable.

The group went on to Haveli Haider Quli, a powerful official of the Mughal Empire under one of the later Mughal emperors, Muhammad Shah. Though the mansion has disappeared and surrounding gardens have been built over, the name of the Haveli still remains in the locality.

The walk finally ended at Ghalib’s haveli at Ballimaran, the rented home of famous Urdu and Persian poet Mirza Ghalib. Ballimaran is the locality associated with a noted family of hakims, the Sharif Khan family which had been associated with the Mughal emperors from the early days of empire.

- http://www.iamin.in/, December 5, 2015

Tourists visiting Shimla city would be able to go back to the British era soon as Himachal Pradesh tourism department has decided to provide Shimla the same look that it had during the British period by restoring its architecture especially between the stretch of Telegraph Office to Shimla Club.

This beautification of Shimla would be done under Restoration of Shimla Mall Road Extension project (RSMRE) initiated by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department Board Corporation (HPTDC) and would be completed with funds (Rs 33.89 crore) received from Asian Development Bank (ADB). HPTDB has invited tenders for the project.

In this RSMRE project, the current benches would be replaced with traditional wrought iron and wooden benches. The fronts of Mall road shops will be restored and building facades will be repaired as per the heritage regulations. To maintain homogeneity along the proposed stretch, formula to maintain the inherent architectural character of each building will be followed. Under the project, new rain shelters will be constructed and facades will be restored.

In this stretch between Telegraph Office to Shimla Club, a visual friendly environment will be created by developing street-scape, improving retaining walls, landscaping and street furniture conforming to heritage character of the site, developing public amenities and facilities and improving street-side drainage system.

Besides, with the help of landscaping design interventions, the parks and gathering spaces would be made more accessible to public to develop the recreational activities. Street lights would be installed especially for the safety of women and children during evenings besides restoring railings.

HPTDC vice-chairman Major Vijai Singh Mankotia said in order to promote tourism in Shimla, they have taken the initiative. "We are also looking forward to a cleaner Shimla," he added. He said under the beautification project, restoration work of Town Hall building in Shimla is under process which is likely to be completed next year.

- The Times of India, December 5, 2015

The beautiful Buddhist establishments of Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda in Sankaram village near Anakapalle, around 45 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city, feature remarkable rock cut caves, numerous monolithic (carved out of a single rock) stupas, chaityas and monasteries dating back between the 4th and 9th centuries AD.

Surrounded by lush green paddy fields and vegetation, these ancient hilltop Buddhist sites are a treasure-trove for any history, architecture and archaeology buff. Numerous antiquities such as pottery, gold and copper coins, including a gold coin of Samudra Gupta of the Gupta dynasty and copper coins of the Eastern Chalukya kings, seals, terracotta tablets bearing scripts in various languages and figurines were recovered during excavations by Alexander Rea in 1907-08 on both the hills. But in this beautiful heritage site, ugliness and callousness are also prominently marked. The sites are completely neglected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is supposed to be the caretaker of the place.

Several people throng the heritage site to picnic and party, cooking in the vast entrance lawns surrounding the hills and littering the place with plastic plates and water sachets. What is surprising is that the public are allowed atop the maha stupa though ASI rules say an extent of 100 metres from heritage structures should be maintained as protected area.

The public is not content with just standing or sitting on the stupas and chaitayas, but throw pieces of rocks for fun, mutilating the ancient bricks and rocks by scribbling names or by throwing rocks in the caves and meditation centres. The sanctity of the place is also violated as the over-enthusiastic public hoot from inside the caves containing the Buddha statues.

"Since these are already very old structures, there's no problem if bricks are thrown at them!" said a tourist to a guide when he was asked to stop throwing stones. Apart from this, there are also no signages or boards describing the history and importance of the heritage site. There are no dustbins for the picnickers and plastic and food is not banned on the hilltops.

According to a staff at the site, daily, 70-80 people visit the place and on weekends or during the picnic season, at least 300 people turn up daily from 9 am to 5 pm. "Even foreigners from Buddhist nations such as Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, Tibet as well as from Russia, USA, Germany visit the place. But there are no multilingual guides available to explain the details about the structures to the foreigners. Even the lighting and wiring system that was damaged during cyclone Hudhud, remains unrepaired," said an ASI staff requesting anonymity.

Not just that, the hilltops are also overgrown with weeds which is dangerous for a heritage structure. "Weeds growing from the crevices of the stone and brick structures are further damaging the stupas, viharas and chaityas. There's no worker to even clear the weeds and dry weeds may catch fire too. Once in a while inspection happens, but no improvement or conservation takes place," divulged the ASI staff.

T Vineed, An officer from the Indian Navy, who was touring the place, remarked, "This is such an amazing spot for tourists as well as researchers. But I am shocked and saddened to see the destruction that the lovely heritage structures are subjected to on a daily basis. First of all, a ticket of Rs 20 or even more should be introduced to weed out unwanted elements from littering the place.

Adequate dustbins should be provided and food and plastic should be banned on the hilltop. Nobody should be allowed to climb or disfigure the stupas and other structures. For this, hefty fines should be imposed for violation and boards should be placed at regular intervals cautioning the public about conserving the heritage structures. Adequate number of ASI staff and guards as well as guides must be posted for proper security and maintenance of these sites."

- The Times of India, December 5, 2015

Often misrepresented by a myopic world lens, Iran is a land of cultural richness and scenic beauty, the charms of which are tucked away behind a veil — much like that of its people

They hardly get any tourists from ‘Hind’, least of all seven Indian women travelling without a tour bus and a tour operator. Iran is not exactly a popular travel destination thanks to relentless reportage of an apparently oppressive government, its ultra-conservative ideologies, and an impending nuclear deal.

So why did an artist, a lighting designer, a communications consultant, a fashion designer, a travel planner, the only Indian woman expat working for the UN in Afghanistan and the owner of one of India’s iconic clothing brands, decide to visit Iran? It was a combination of curiosity, the road less travelled, a fascination with Islamic art and architecture, and a wealth of resources available on the Internet. Planning is always half the fun in travel.

So, our virtual journey began three months prior to actually leaving. We salivated through food blogs, exchanged emails with an Iranian actress (who, it turns out, is quite the celebrity!), watched Iranian documentaries, streamed online photo essays, followed the work of Iranian photographers on Instagram, and WhatsApped friends of friends of friends in Iran. But I’ll tell you this. Not all the research in the world could have prepared us for what we experienced over 10 days in Iran.

Of course, we visited the famed turquoise blue-tiled mosques, shrines and palaces of Shiraz, Yazd and Isfahan. From the outside, they appear like magnificent ornaments set within a perfectly blue Persian sky. On the inside, embellished with the finest geometry, calligraphy and vegetal patterning, in stark contrast is Persepolis — monumental stone ruins of an imperial capital laid to waste by Alexander, the Great.

A survivor of that carnage is the wall of processions — a bas relief photo gallery of every gift-bearing emissary who travelled here. Among the 28 nations represented, is a lungi-clad Indian contingent that preceded us by 2,300 years! Onwards to the city of Yazd, with its wind towers, ancient aquaducts and yes, ice houses, a fascinating journey into mastering life in the desert centuries ago.

And then, to that most elegant of cities, Isfahan, famously called ‘half the world’. Avenues of burnished chinar trees lead to 14th century pedestrian bridges where Isfahanis meet, especially at night, to sing, read poetry or just picnic with friends with a sheesha and many cups of tea. Yes, it was beautiful. And yet, despite all that we saw, if you ask what made our travel to Iran most memorable, it would be its people. The Iranis have got to be the friendliest, most hospitable people on this planet. We were completely blown away with their warmth and unconditional kindness.

From the guy who ferried us to our hotel when we merely asked for directions, to the other who drove us to a better restaurant when we stopped by his humble store, to the group of girls who loaded credit on my mobile phone using their account and then wouldn’t take money for it! Nothing quite prepared me for such extraordinary people. And that’s not counting the complimentary dry fruit hampers, dinner invitations to our guide’s home, being whisked off to a special screening of a film (in a palace, by the filmmaker himself), or being cross-questioned about India, in English, by two blind Iranian girls visiting a museum.

But clearly all is not beautiful, just and kind in Iran. We, along with every other Iranian woman, wore a head scarf at all times, except in the privacy of our rooms. In Iran, women are not permitted to sing in public. Pro-government propaganda material surrounds much of central Tehran. Khomeini is everywhere. The Shah is nowhere — his reign completely ejected from public memory.

It is not possible to freely make a film, stage a play or express yourself. But petrol is `25 for a litre, the roads have no potholes, broad and clean sidewalks welcome you in the smallest of villages and the largest of cities, there is no garbage anywhere, motorists are rash but no one honks. Because of the sanctions, there are no ugly hoardings, no MacDonalds, no Nike. A 26-year-old Iranian woman has designed the award-winning, avante garde Tabiat Bridge that stretches across a jam-packed arterial road of Tehran. Couples stroll across it, hand in hand, stopping by its open air restaurants and walking into parks on either side, way past midnight.

All through our travels we felt the veil lift, not just on this much maligned and misrepresented country, but also on ourselves as Indians. Are we really that differently off? Do we really have the religious and social freedoms of a secular democracy? Where are the good roads, public spaces, clean bazaars? What have we done to protect and sensitively restore the rich reminders of our past?

The Iranians are very fond of India. We often heard them say, ‘India-Iran, friendly-friendly’. Alas! This bhai bhai story is an ironic one. We appear to share a dangerous affinity for hardline ideologies and a frivolous infatuation with Shah Rukh Khan. But when it comes to good civic amenities, basic public infrastructure and mindful heritage conservation, our filial similarities abruptly end. The writer quit being a copywriter to follow her passion for travel

- The Asian Age, December 5, 2015

Maluti goddess loses gold eyeballs, jewellery

The eyeballs of the tutelary deity, a tiara and a trident - all made of solid gold and perhaps worth a fortune in antique value - were stolen from the centuries-old Maluti temple complex, 60km from Dumka district headquarters, in the small hours today.

The broken gate to the sanctum sanctorum, the gouged eyes of Maa Mouliksha and the raided jewel safe together expose the near-absent security at a heritage site of 78 extant terracotta temples (out of the original 108), 450km from the state capital, despite twin thefts in the past. The temples are, currently, on multicrore restoration radar.

According to Dumka police and local residents, chief priest Kali Prasad Choudhary and his wife discovered the break-in around 5.45am when they reached the temple premises to pluck flowers for morning prayers. "The priest's wife noticed the lock broken. Villagers gathered on hearing the news of theft and desecration of the deity, and Shikaripara police station was informed. Besides the gold eyeballs, a tiara and trident were taken from the safe," said Pavitra Roy, a villager.

Dumka SP Vipul Shukla said they were yet to estimate the damage done, but villagers guessed the value of the stolen items would run into several thousands. Shukla said a sniffer dog had been pressed into service and the trail it followed suggested that the thiefhieves entered the temple premises from behind, but strangely left through the main entrance.

"The dog took policemen on a half kilometre trail before it stopped confused. An FIR has been lodged and investigations have begun. While all gold items have been cleaned out, silver trinkets and utensils were left untouched. We are still not sure how many persons were involved, but the theft looks like the handiwork of more than one," SP Shukla added.

Local residents rued lack of security. "These are heritage temples and the government doesn't bother to deploy cops here," said an angry Babloo Chatterjee. Another resident added that Maa Mouliksha was a revered deity whose name denotes "mastak darshan or glimpse of the head". Actually, the goddess has only a nicely chiselled laterite stone head fixed on the wall. Rest of her body is absent. The lustrous idol has a smiling face.

This is the third time thieves have struck at the Maluti temples. A similar theft was reported in 2005 and the first time some 30 years ago when the country barely knew about these terracotta temples built by the Baj Basanta dynasty around the 17th Century. After the temples' significance came to light, conservation efforts gained ground. On October 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a restoration project worth Rs 13.60 crore under Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development.

S.D. Singh, project director, conceded that the Maa Mouliksha temple was the oldest in the cluster where saint Bamakhepa had spent his childhood. It is built in the dochala (curved cornice on two sides) architectural style, he said, calling for extra cover against thefts and desecration.

- The Telegraph, December 6, 2015

Theatre lovers can look forward to watch their favourite plays under the open sky. Amid towering trees and manicured grass, an "open theatre movement" will be launched at Rabindra Sarobar this winter, for which a podium is being recreated on a mound by stage actor-architect Anubha Fatehpuria.

The project is apparently inspired by outdoor theatres in Europe and the historic Regent's Park in London that has hosted countless concerts since it debuted in 1914.Though not quite as grand as Regent's Park-it has a 10-ft water curtain, fountains built into the stage and underground dressing rooms--the open-air theatre complex at Lake is set to come up on a 192-acre manicured lawn, with strategically positioned lights, and will echo with quotes from Badal Sircar's plays.

The curtain rises on 19 December with a tribute to Badal Sircar, and the release of a book on the legend. On the cards is Alokananda Roy's Balimiki Pratibha. "The audience will be treated to some of the best performances, free of cost.The performers get paid as usual, no one is exploited," said Mudar Patherya, whose NGO has recently reintroduced musical soirees, "Live in Lakes", started by KMDA and KIT in 2012.

"The concerts happen on Sundays. Now theatres will be staged every Saturday . We want to take theatres to paras, encouraging everyone to come out of their homes and connect," said Patherya. "The plays will be performed in a unique ambience, without air or visual pollution. The sound and activities will blend with nature with no harsh lighting or noise that might scare birds away. The re are no corporate sponsors, so no banners will be put up. The project is backed by citizens, and entirely crowd-funded."

Theatre personality Sumit Roy who will curate the performances every Saturday , called it a boon to budding artistes. "It will give a fresh impetus to theatre in the city . Staging plays on an open stage is an in vigorating feeling," he said.

The organizers decided against setting up a stage right in the midd le. Fatehpuria's technical knowled ge of both landscape and performance made her an ideal choice "Creating a stage in the Lakes is not easy . It couldn't be a grotesque structure, so we approached Fatehpuria to think of something that integrates with the landscape. We needed someone who is adept at landscapestaging that would turn out to be the focal point of a performing arts hub," said Arkopriya Chatterjee, operations director, Calcutta Classical Guitar Society , an integral part of the "open theatre movement".

"This is a special initiative to revive Rabindra Sarobar. Hopefully theatregoers will flock to this green space, which will go a long way in reviving Rabindra Sarobar," said Sudhin Nandy , chief valuer-in-charge, KIT, which manages the Lake.

- The Times of India, December 6, 2015

The recent theft of a Mahavira statue in Bihar calls for a discussion on keeping safe our many idols.

A continuous high wall surrounded this temple standing alone in the countryside in Tamil Nadu. It was difficult for the eye to see in the cool darkness inside the ancient stone temple as the bright and blinding post-noon light at the opening, which was a side doorway in the stone wall, constricted my pupils to their smallest aperture. The light was not streaming in — it was just hanging there at the door. My ears and nose picked up the silent and lugubrious temple atmosphere where nothing moves when the deities are resting after their afternoon bhog. I turned obliquely to stare at the darkness instead, and in this twilight atmosphere, I saw this eerie sight.

Towards a corner was a barred cell, like a cage, about my height, and within it were chained a pair of deities, elegant in their classical poses. I went closer and in the halfrevealing light saw them smiling the divine smile that our deities have. These metal sculptures were about three-feet in height and on the stone floor there were other metallic receptacles around them, within the cage.

In other shrines, a common sight is the pair of diamond-shaped collapsible grills painted in black, silver, green or vermilion colour, and with a chain and padlock holding the grills in place. It is unquestioningly accepted by the faithful to pray and make offerings through the grills. The priest can be on either side of the grill as he is, after all, the intermediary between the mortals and the divine.

While many believe that Gods are above human bickering or slighting or appropriation, a large number of us fear for the safety of their physical form. This sentiment holds true globally and what was described above are some of the precautions that we take in good faith. Despite these precautions, all over the world, as in the case of the Mahavira statue reported by Mumbai Mirror as stolen from a Jain shrine in Bihar, sculptures are pilfered and sold and such thievery is as old as 'civilised' humankind.

The transactions take place either for the value of the material of the object, for the artistic and antiquity value, or the combination of them. The UNESCO Convention 40th Anniversary document of March 2010 mentions that together with the trafficking in drugs and arms, the black marketing of antiquities and culture constitutes one of the most persistent illegal trades in the world, valued at billions of dollars annually.

It is worthwhile noting that sculptures that are an embodiment of spirituality have always also held sway over the realm of art. This was recognised and additional provisions were made in existing laws so that protection of antiquities and art treasures could be additionally articulated and brought attention to. Antiquities are defined by a time scale. In India an antiquity is an object more than 100 years old while in other countries it could even be 50 years. For documents and manuscripts in India, the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act outlines a threshold of 75 years. An art treasure on the other hand does not necessarily have to be an antique at all.

Laws have been made for the protection of personal and public property, and any antiquity is also one of them. On the reporting of art and antiquity theft too, therefore, primary action is taken under various relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and under local laws. Suppose the object stolen is an antiquity, then it must have been registered by the owner with the Central government and such an object can only be sold by a person licensed to do so by it.

It is important for owners of such important objects to realise that in case of such eventualities, for any agency to identify a stolen object, there needs to be an existing documentation of it. The basic noting in such a record would include its physical features, material, craftsmanship and other details. Some owners take the additional precaution of keeping provenance records and fingerprinting their objects and this helps them to prove their ownership in case their stolen object is retrieved.

In case the journey of a stolen object heads towards leaving the country, it is the alertness of citizens, police and customs officials that can block an impending export. Under provisions of the Customs Act, such an object can be confiscated as there is total prohibition on the export of antiquities and art treasures of artistic, historic or archaeological value. In such cases, other than the Antiquities Export Control Act, other Acts related to tackle smuggling, such as SAFEMA or the COFEPOSA may be invoked. Once confiscated by authorities, state and central archaeology officials are often requested to call for a committee of experts to ascertain if confiscated objects are antiques or not. One place where one can see a number of confiscated objects is the Indian Customs and Central Excise Museum at Panjim in Goa.

Tackling illicit trade in art objects is an international effort, and information on stolen objects are shared with authorities around the world including Interpol and World Customs Organisation. India is a State Party to the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The UNIDROIT Convention on the International Return of Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects is another instrument while the CITES convention regulates trade in endangered species, and objects made of materials such as ivory can therefore also be red flagged by customs officials. As in the most recent case of the repatriation of the 5 million dollars' worth 11th century Chola bronze Shiva Nataraja from Australia, proof of the object ownership, and the fact that it was stolen and smuggled had to be provided by India.

As in the case of Michelangelo's David, the statue on display at the Piazza Della Signoria is a copy while the original sculpture is housed nearby in the Galleria dell'Accademia. Often culturally or historically important objects that are at immediate risk in public or urban spaces are removed into various museums for protection from damage by the elements or human misadventures, and faithful copies are put in their place to keep alive the narrative in the contextual space. This is a drastic measure and a last resort. In such cases, it becomes the responsibility of the museums or other 'secure locations' to take care of these objects and display them for the education and enjoyment of the public.

Another indirect way of protecting collections is their dispersion. When the twin towers were destroyed, a collection of copies of Rodin masterpieces owned by Cantor Fitzgerald were destroyed too. Some years before the attack, however, a large number of these works were distributed to various museums, and these have now survived. When a collection of objects is dispersed and decentralised at relatively safe locations, then statistically it reaches out to more people and the chances of it surviving in an uncertain world are more. At the same time, dispersion of collections is often considered undesirable as it breaks up a homogeneous group.

If the deities in places of worship are shackled and the mind is free, then intangible issues of aesthetic experience come into play. If the deities are free then the mind is shackled for fear of vandalism or theft. In such a scenario, the first precaution one has to take is documentation of the collection and its registration if possible. What a beautiful day, and what a statement of confidence it will be when we remove all grills and chains from our places of worship. For the moment, it seems this will have to wait.

It seems as if law abiding citizens' lack of information, fear and misunderstandings about our own antiquities and registration laws are hampering the protection of the very cultural heritage we wish to preserve. With the very slow growth in preparedness in taking care of our collections, it turns out that we are the ones in half-revealing light and shackled in the cage, while the Gods are omnipresent and continue to smile their divine smile, unaffected, and allknowing. Things can only get better ... that is the bright light hanging at the door. (The author is an independent art conservation consultant).

- The Mumbai Mirror, December 6, 2015

It was a mesmerizing sight for automobile enthusiasts in the city when around 22 vintage four-wheelers and over 50 classic two-wheelers took to the streets on Sunday as part of a rally during the ongoing Virasat arts and heritage festival.

The rally as part of the fortnight-long Virasat organized by Rural Entrepreneurship for Art & Cultural Heritage (REACH) on Sunday featured two-wheelers dating back to 1955, a 1955 BSA, a 1962 Vespa, and a 1959 Lamretta LD among others. A Volkswagen Karmann, dating back to 1963, was also presented to the audience among other vintage vehicles.

The rally was flagged off in the morning by Dr A K Goel head corporate administration ONGC from Ambedkar stadium on Kaulagarh road. It passed through important routes of the city such as Clock Tower and Rajpur Road, before culminating at the stadium at noon.

"It was exciting to get a chance to watch collectors' items, the vintage and classic beauties on Dehradun streets," said Kartik Dutt, a school student. Dr S Farooq, Director, Himalaya Herbals, who participated in the rally with his fleet of 11 vintage cars and 4 vintage bikes, won the prize for maximum participation over the years. He said, " For the past 15 years I have been participating in vintage rallies even beyond Dehradun. I have been passionate about vintage vehicles since I was a child and I feel such rallies should be held more frequently in the valley."

Bikes from 1973 and cars from 1947 had the audience in spell. A 1947 MG car which was imported from the US and belonged to NK Mittal grabbed eyeballs. It was one of the show stoppers and also won the Popular Choice award in the four-wheeler category.

A 1961 Royal Enfield belonging to Salem Raj from Saharanpur was another major attraction. Raj first participated in the rally in 2012. He said, "There should be more such rallies as it helps to maintain bikes in a better manner and people also come to know about the beautiful vintage bikes and cars that India has."

- The Times of India, December 6, 2015

Myriad interpretations of draping a sari or dhoti emerged on the Rajasthan Heritage Week (RHW) ramp, where designers, textile revivalists and weavers showcased their creative prowess.

The concluding day of the three-day gala here on Saturday night, saw well-known designer duo Abraham and Thakore do a modernise take on the block printing technique of the state. They used unusual block prints like houndstooth for tops, jackets, saris and more, apart from interspersing Rajasthani mojaris in their line for an extra edge.

Rajesh Thakore said they worked closely with khadi weavers and block printers to create the bespoke line for the event, and now they will even showcase an extension of the line at Paris. Textile scholar Rta Kapur Chishti, who has been involved with research and development of handspun-handloom textiles, showcased the wonders of the six-yard cloth.

The draping, styling and pleating were far from the usual, and definitely gave onlookers innovative ideas to employ saris in day-to-day as well as occasion wear. After the riot of colours that Chishti showcased, there was an all-natural khadi line by New York-based Swedish designer Lars Anderrson, whose take on unfinished garments was interesting to say the least. He worked with raw fibre and tribal yarn to create anti-fit clothes stitched inside-out and unhemmed.

Next up was weaver Mustakeem Kachara from Kaithoon in Kota district. His expertise lay in zari-laden kota doria saris, but what stood out was how he has embraced abstract designs with changing times, while also retaining the old world charm of the traditional motifs.

The National Award winner's opening sari was a take on fruits, featuring strawberries, bananas, apple, et al. Need we say more? The saga of the sari and sarongs continued with Pavithra Muddaya of Bengaluru's famed handloom revivalist label Vimor. Her creations, in natural fibers such as cotton, silk, linen and bamboo, saw the use of motifs like rose water sprinklers, sheafs of paddy.

The revivalist's bow to the audience was full of pride as she walked shoulder side by side, and hand-in-hand with her weavers. Then came a double finale -- Rohit and Abhishek followed by a showcase by Jaipur Modern. Rohit and Abhishek, who are inspired by regalia of the Rajasthan royalty, brought an all-male line which had pieces made in wool khadi. Their designs were smart and wearable.

Abhishek even brought to the ramp a 94-year-old Bhagwan Sahay, a freedom fighter, whom he said had dedicated his life to revival of Khadi. Appreciating an initiative like RHW, Abhishek said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia has always gone out of her way to support the cause of sustaining the arts, crafts and heritage of the state.

This, as witnessed by all attendees, was also evident from Raje's presence at the gala on all three days, and she even shopped at the Crafts Bazaar at the venue here. The showcase by Jaipur Modern, featuring a range of creations like open coats, dresses, boxer shorts, t-shirts, gowns and more, brought the curtains down on the gala.

- The Times of India, December 6, 2015

Many appreciate how Punjab and Haryana always have green fields no matter the amount of rain. They don’t acknowledge rumblings of the vault down under, and the carbon footprint that comes with pumping groundwater. Farm ponds are time-tested structures that can serve both as an adaptation and mitigation step, as discovered by a few farmers in Punjab

Climate change can be as big as the world and as local as your backyard. In North India, it manifests mainly through erratic rainfall. In Punjab and Haryana, the unseasonal downpour in March damaged crops over 55.5 lakh acre while the monsoon season saw a deficit of around 35 per cent. Data shows that the two states have consistently registered below normal rainfall since 1998, putting immense strain on the groundwater resource. The erratic weather has also been linked to the whitefly outbreak which damaged the current cotton crop.

Last year, the rainfall deficit was over 50 per cent and Punjab had asked for a Central assistance of Rs 2,350 crore due to a 15 per cent rise in irrigation cost. The state bought extra power and the farmers extra diesel to extract groundwater. Deepening of dried-up borewells was another expense. All this adds to the input cost of cultivation, leading to farm distress and suicides.

On the pollution front, groundwater pumping in India contributes 16-25 million tonne carbon, which is 4-6 per cent of the country’s total emission. Traditionally, North India was gifted with rich soil and sufficient rainfall, besides large riverine regions which nurtured the crops. Monsoonal flood would be diverted into small reservoirs for later use. Dug wells filled the gap in dry season.

Introduction of new technology to pump out groundwater in 1960s helped in expansion of the irrigated area. Thanks to easier availability of groundwater, crops got drought-proof, resulting in a rise in crop production and farm income. But the declining water table has now set the reverse trend in motion. Most blocks of Haryana and Punjab are in the dark zones and yield low-quality water, impacting crop production.

In fact, the deteriorating groundwater quality is also making people migrate to better-off areas, a rerun of times when tribes moved in search of water. At Sandharsi village in Patiala district, many original inhabitants have sold off their lands and migrated to other areas of Punjab in search of better water and soil.

Here, the good quality groundwater is available at a depth of over 1,000 feet, which only a local distillery has been able to access. Farmers make do with water at 600 feet but that impacts productivity. Former sarpanch Surinder Singh gave up farming after his all four borewells failed. He is now growing eucalyptus trees, running the family flour mill and selling milk.

But Sandharsi also has farmers who refused to be pinned down. When pushed to the wall, they decided to do something more than selling off and leaving. Harmesh Singh has two borewells but for six months he relies on a pond spread over half an acre on his farm. Once filled during monsoon, the pond holds over 37 lakh litre, enough to irrigate 13 acre of paddy fields twice.

The consumption of diesel for irrigation also drops by one-fifth as the pump needs less power to lift pond water. This is a boon especially when monsoon is delayed and the power supply for irrigation is erratic. In case of heavy rain, the pond again cushions the impact of flooding. The idea has also spread to neighbouring villages and around 15 farmers are known to have ponds in their fields in this area, thus reducing the constant dependence on government subsidy and the bore rig industry for irrigation.

What’s more important is that the initiative has come from individual farmers without any push from the government or non-governmental organisations. Ask Harmesh, one of the first to dig a farm pond, about how he got the idea, and he responds with another question: “Isn’t it common sense that a farm pond will help with irrigation?” Sadly, this common sense has become a rarity.

Ponds and wells had always been the lifeline of Indian agriculture. As groundwater became accessible, these long-serving companions were encroached upon overnight and were filled up to increase the cropped area. Today, dug wells are beyond redemption as water levels have receded to great depths. But ponds are still valid and irrigating fields in many parts of the country. In fact, they are more valid in present times of erratic rainfall patterns.

Lessons can also be learnt from Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh, which turned almost barren as borewells started failing. Today, 5,000 ponds in the district irrigate two crops a year. The movement, inspired by a single farmer digging a pond in his fields, got support from the state agriculture department, which started holding training sessions for large farmers who owned tractors and could afford to excavate ponds. Around 600 such ponds were dug without any financial support from the government.

Later, a subsidy was announced to take the initiative to small and marginal farmers. The chance of fake beneficiaries was little as the big farmers had already got ponds for themselves. The water harvesting structures also helped raise the groundwater table, thus reviving many a defunct borewell which had dried out. In Marathwada, the region facing continuous drought, the Maharashtra government has now launched a farm pond scheme on a large scale to permanently deal with scarcity.

The Centre, on its part, has formed a committee to suggest restructuring of the Central Groundwater Board and Central Water Commission. The main purpose is to hasten the process of aquifer mapping and irrigation reforms to reduce dependence on an increasingly erratic monsoon. While aquifer mapping will quantify the country’s groundwater, irrigation reforms are meant for last-mile connectivity through decentralised water harvesting like farm ponds and check dams, besides water-efficient irrigation technologies like sprinklers and drip systems.

But instead of looking for government schemes, can the farmers themselves take up farm ponds? The few farmers at Sandharsi and surrounding villages are testimony to the resilience that comes with independent initiatives. Instead of doling out subsidy schemes, the state government can organise field visits for farmers to Sandharsi and Dewas. Farmers can spare a few bighas to collect rainwater, which will also recharge the defunct borewells.

It’s not a quick task but not as costly and distressing as deepening of a borewell every few years. Many commentators appreciate how Punjab and Haryana always have green fields no matter the amount of rainfall.

They don’t acknowledge rumblings of the vault down under, and the carbon footprint that comes with groundwater pumping. Farm ponds will not only make this region water sufficient in the true sense but also reduce emissions, thus serving as both a climate change adaptation and mitigation measure. The writer is a consultant with India Water Portal, a knowledge repository on water and sanitation

- The Tribune, December 6, 2015

Dismissing that Jammu could lose focus after direct rail connectivity to Katra, chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed assured that an appropriate strategy has been devised to create attractive assets in and around the winter capital to sustain tourist footfall.

He described Jammu as a repository of rich heritage reflected in its historic temples and monuments. "Jammu has its own significance. We will create new areas of attraction to make the stay of the visitors in Jammu memorable," he said.

The chief minister made these remarks after inaugurating the River Tawi Front Park, here today. Elaborating upon various measures afoot to position Jammu as a leisure and heritage destination, Mufti Sayeed referred to Mubarak Mandi Complex, which previously housed the State Legislature, as a heritage treasure that has a huge potential to attract art lovers both from within and outside the country.

He said the work on the execution of Jammu ropeway shall be expedited, which will also come as a shot in the arm for Jammu tourism. He also highlighted several other measures taken to diversify tourism-related activities in Jammu region at places such as Ranjit Sagar and Baghliar Dams, Sanasar, Marwah, Warwan, Bhaderwah and Jai.

The chief minister, in his meeting with Union tourism minister yesterday, had raised the issue of fast-tracking the work on conservation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex. The Ministry has assured that a Central team will visit the winter capital soon to assess the progress of work on the project.

Emphasizing upon development of more parks alongside River Tawi front in the city, the chief minister said Jammu tourism will receive fillip once the artificial lake project will be completed. "Jammu is the city of temples and government will leave no stone unturned to project it as an independent destination," he said.

- The Times of India, December 6, 2015

A 'smart city' is a matter not of technology alone, but also of regard for the elderly and proper management of waste, speakers at a seminar on Sunday organized by Society for Preservation of Healthy Environment and Ecology and Heritage of Agra (SPHEEHA) said.

Agra Municipal Commissioner Indra Vikram Singh said that instead of finding flaws with the idea of the smart city, citizens should aid the government in ensuring that it becomes a success. Agra, he said, would soon be implementing congestion charges for traffic.

Environmentalist Anil Kumar Joshi, founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization, which enables rural communities become economically strong, said, "In a country like India, smart cities cannot survive in isolation. It will not be viable to have a smart city surrounded by villages that don't have basic civic amenities. For inclusive growth, dedicated Economic Zones must be created in which smart cities can source their food and other requirements from neighbouring villages - creating employment opportunities for rural folk."

Joshi said western models should not be followed blindly since each city has its own heritage, culture and social structure. "The time has come to define development - the priorities of citizens have to be met first. For a healthy population, we need good quality air, water and soil. We need to have 30% forest cover."

Speaking of how such planned cities must also cater to the elderly, David Hewson, professor of health and ageing, Institute of Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, UK, said,

"A smart city should encourage older people to walk more. It should provide opportunities that engage them, so they remain active. It should offer healthcare systems that can remotely monitor health." Imtiaz Ali, founder of a Bhopal-based NGO said solid waste management should be done in a sustainable manner and social security measures should be in place for people like rag pickers. Recycling of waste and use of non-biodegradable plastic in cement furnaces should be encouraged, he said.

B Ashok, chairman, Indian Oil Corporation, said, "Citizens should be encouraged to use energy and water resources efficiently, and renewable resources for fuel. Citizens should feel a sense of ownership to better participate in the smart city project." He also recounted how it is important that indigenous knowledge systems for sustainable development find a place in the planning of the smart city.

DG Sonwane, group sector head, urban development, Tata Consulting Engineers, said, "India's urban renewal mission has increasingly become participatory in nature. Since cities are being built further away from shrinking water sources, the cost of transporting water is increasing." For optimum use of water, he urged planners to focus on water loss management.

- The Times of India, December 6, 2015

The derelict walls of Mubark Mandi Complex in Jammu’s old city are witness to centuries of politics, power and intrigue. But with its restoration to glory tangled into red-tapism it cries for attention. Saima Bhat reports the fall of Dogra power house

Once an important ‘seat of power’ of autocratic Dogra rulers, Mubarak Mandi Complex (MMC) in Jammu’s old city area is reduced to one helpless edifice! Literally. A mélange of European Baroque, Mughal and Rajasthani architecture, Mubarak Mandi Complex is a vast network of buildings; 24 blocks to be precise, with oldest structure dating back to 1710.

Since then MMC is at the centre of region’s complex history with some of game-changing decisions taken behind its now derelict walls. The power of these stone-and-brick structures started to fade after Dogra autocrat Hari Singh moved the ‘royal seat’ to Hari Niwas Palace in northern Jammu in 1925.

“This place was as important as Taj Mahal or Amar Mahal (Jaipur) for Dogras,” says Prof Lalit Magotra, recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award (2011) for his fictional work in Dogri language. “In my childhood days one could climb over its walls and see Sialkot (now in Pakistan).”

But once Dogra autocrat began functioning from Hari Niwas Palace, the importance and glory of MMC started to fade with time. It was in 1947, after change of power dynamics in the region, that MMC became house to a number of government offices. Since then it has survived as many as 17 fires. In 2007, after most of the 24 buildings comprising MMC have turned into ruins, state government finally felt the need for its restoration.

A year later (2008) State government formed Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS) and entrusted it with the matters related to preservation of MMC. It was decided that the chief minister of state will be its de-facto head, and the concerned ministers will form its executive body, while members will be drawn from the Jammu civil society.

The next big challenge was to get funds for such a huge restoration project. After deliberations, state government recommended procurement of funds through Central assistance schemes and under 13th Finance Commission Award. Under this commission the Government of India (GoI) approved Rs 50 crores for the restoration of Raja Amar Singh Palace, Dogra Art Museum, Badi Deodi, Royal Court and Gadvai and Mahal of Raja Ram Singh’s Queens. But only Rs 8.51 crores was released as the first installment. As per the details provided by joint director (planning), Tourism and Culture department in the autumn session of state legislature, so far only Rs 4.37 crores were utilized.

Over the years funds were continuously allotted for MMC’s restoration under different sponsored schemes. An amount of Rs 4.37 crores was approved Under Central funding for the preservation of building housing High Court, Army Head Quarter and Foreign Office. The state government says the work is complete for this particular building.

Another Rs 16.92 crores were approved under Mega Project Central funding, but so far only Rs 3.38 crores were released as the first installment. Under this scheme, the restoration of Raja Ram Palace, Darbar Hall, Central Courtyard and Zanana Courtyard will be taken up.

It was MMJHS who chose Archeological Survey of India (ASI) as the implantation agency for MMC restoration project. “The total cost of restoration project was estimated at Rs 235 crores by the INTACH,” says Rohit Khajurai, executive director MMJHS who feels slow pace of the project is because of GoI’s inability to release funds on time.

“Out of promised 230 crores we have so far received just Rs 8.51 crores. Even this amount was released in very small installments,” blames Khajurai. “ASI has spent money at the rate of Rs 2 crores per year, which means they need another 115 years to spend approved 230 crores!” For restoration of buildings of Royal Courts, Badi Deodi, Gadvai Khana and museum, ASI had estimated the restoration will cost Rs 17.32 crores and each building will take at least three years to get ready for use.

As the government of India is yet to release the funds for the restoration work, society couldn’t pay same to ASI. Khajurai says work goes in a circular process. “When workers are paid for their work only then they can be held accountable.” This is the reason Khajurai says MMJHS doesn’t ask ASI to get more manpower to complete the restoration in stipulated time. Presently only 15 ASI workers are working for the restoration work in Mubarak Mandi.

Fed up with the slow process of restoration, the ruling government informed the assembly in autumn session that ASI was given the project as the conservation of the heritage buildings is a painstaking process and need extraordinary skills. They also informed that “presently one building housing Army Headquarters and Foreign Office has been restored, and about sixty percent work is complete on another building that houses Royal Courts, Gadvai Khana and Badi Deodi.” The house was also informed that three projects worth Rs 71.29 crores have been sanctioned under different programmes.

And for same Rs 16.26 crores were released and utilised so far. But some of the executive members of the MMJHS decry that ASI is not doing justice with their work as they are working very slowly. One of the society members wishing anonymity said, “We asked ASI to speed up pace of their work but I was surprised when they denied, claiming, their institute has to manage heritage buildings across India so they are short of manpower.”

Sensing ‘callous’ approach of ASI, the society members met the Prime Minister of India, who as per sources, advised them to take help from some private agencies. “One agency from Rajasthan was hired and they even started their work for 15 days, but then because of the changes at administration level the project was taken back from that agency,” says one of the members.

But the present executive director sees this issue in a different way and calls it a ‘tragedy’. “That agency was not reliable. They had no credibility. They demolished Diwaan-e-Aam, which was build in 1925. You tell me, how can an agency assigned to conserve a heritage you demolish it.”

However the executive members of MMJHS blame the present director and other administrators for not portraying the correct image of the work done. “There is no re-use plan for the building where the work is complete,” questions a member, who adds, “If a private agency recommended by different governments can restore the heritage buildings like Amar Palace in Jaipur, which is three fold bigger than Mubarak Mandi, then why can’t they do it in Jammu.” Moreover, anybody can see how the walls of renovated building have started to get off, says a local.

Retired Prof Magotra, who is also one of the executive members of the MMJHS, says, “This society has maximum of its members from government and less than fifty percent of the members are from civil society. The restoration work is going at snail’s pace because of the casual approach of the executive level officers.” He adds, “It is sad that Mubarak Mandi complex comes under Tourism sector, a ministry headed by the CM himself. But so far only a few meetings were held for same with no serious outcome.”

Magotra is compelling state to hire some private agencies from Rajasthan and Jaipur, who have expertise in the restoration of heritage buildings. “Instead they have transferred all money to ASI without taking into confidence the executive body of the MMJHS.” And he opines, “You must understand, transferring money to ASI means no audit will be done. Government just wants to be on the safer side.”

Before the restoration work could take off, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Jammu chapter was assigned to work on this project, who came up with 34 volumes plan for the restoration and preservation of the complex.

They had a reuse plan as well so that the complex continues to have a footfall. INTACH had planned for the establishment of Heritage Hotels to promote tourism along maintenance backed by a strong revenue generation model for this complex. “We had a plan of turning Rani Chadak Palace into a hotel but the civil society of Jammu took it otherwise and called for Jammu bandh and stopped that plan,” says Khajuria.

Besides that ASI, as per their protected monument rules, also refused to change the palace into a hotel. Presently society members are not able to decide if the renovated building can be converted into a conventional hall, auditorium, conference rooms, museum or an amphitheatre.

But Magotra is hopeful that second installment of funds will be released soon as they were able to get an utilisation funding certificate from the state government. Another issue that made to headlines recently was the conversion of Mandi complex into a parking space. But the present director, Khajuria claims to have removed all encroachments and the ‘parking space mafia’.

“When I took charge around 2000 cars were parked in the complex. I removed at least 900 cars without any corporation from the administration,” says Khajuria. He also says the area is congested as the mandi is located in old city and people need space for parking their vehicles. Taking this issue into consideration the administration has presently giving permission to park 60 vehicles near the museum.

Besides the preservation of heritage complex, the state government had put on anvil a Rs 40 crore Ropeway Project connecting Mubarak Mandi to Bagh-e-Bahu crossing river Tawi. The Mubarak Mandi ropeway on completion is expected to attract more tourists to the city of temples.

- http://www.kashmirlife.net/, December 7, 2015

Deep in the evergreen forests of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, researchers have recorded the presence of a population of the Giant African Snail, a native of East Africa that has come to be recognized as the second worst invasive alien species in the world. The proliferation of these snails and other alien species in this part of the world are the greatest threats to the biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

The Giant African Snail was brought to India in 1847, by William Henry Benson, a pioneer in the study of molluscs, who had brought a pair from Mauritius. He gave them to a friend, who released the snails in his garden in Kolkata. In a decade's time, the snails were ubiquitous in Kolkata and soon were introduced to various parts of the country, said N A Aravind Madhyastha, fellow at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).

The Giant African Snail is just one of the several invasive species that are a cause of concern to researchers and conservationists. The plant Lantana that was introduced in several parts of the world for its ornamental value has emerged as the biggest threat to local biodiversity. There are several others that are proving to be a menace to the local ecosystems.

"The snail is a voracious eater and known to feed on more than 500 species of native plants, including agricultural crops, however, many of the native snails tend to be specific in their food preference. Moreover, there are no natural enemies of the Giant African Snail and it is able to prosper at the cost of the local biodiversity," Madhyastha explained. It breeds very fast and lays a large number of eggs. Even the success rate of hatching of the eggs is rather high, he added.

The Giant African Snail has been introduced to various parts of India by humans. It was introduced either accidentally along with agriculture or horticulture produce or deliberately as pets or for its ornamental, medicinal or food value. On the other hand, the range of the endemic snails of the Western Ghats is extremely limited, he said.

The presence of the snail has already been recorded from several sites in the Western Ghats including Nashik, Pune, Mangalore, Karkala, southern Western Ghats and recently in Goa. The records in protected areas such as the Kudremukh National Park and the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve are particularly disturbing. Despite its growing presence in the mountain ranges, no studies have been conducted to assess whether it has been responsible for the local extinction of endemic snails.

The threat posed by an invasive species like the Giant African Snail is not limited to local snails alone; its presence could be devastating for an entire eco-system. The snail prefers to eat the tender shoots and young leaves or young seedlings and saplings. Thus it affects re-generation of native flora and pose a major threat to the native plants of the region, Madhyastha said.

Although the snail is not found in very high altitudes as it cannot thrive in extreme cold, the Western Ghats as a region of high rainfall provide it an ideal habitat. Snails require a lot of moisture and do well in regions of high rainfall and tropical weather, he said.

- The Times of India, December 7, 2015

The imposing architecture of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan's tomb near Parivartan Chowk is more than a coincidence. It tells the story of attempt to strategically check the East India Company from expanding its ase in Avadh.

As children from over a dozen schools in the city gathered at Maqbara Saadat Ali Khan on Sunday to contribute their bit to saving the heritage in a programme organised by INTACH, historian Roshan Taqui remembered how Nawab Saadat Ali Khan tried to curb East India Company's role in Avadh.

Citing references from Imad-us-Saadat, a 120-year-old Urdu book on the life of Nawab Saadat, Taqui said, "He was perhaps the only nawab who wanted to establish a direct relationship with the kingdom in England, unlike others who depended on the East India Company for it."

As per the story, Nawab Saadat Khan wanted to eliminate the role of East India Company in revenue collection. He also offered to collect the revenue for the British kingdom and submit the same directly to the Queen.

"He wrote a letter to the Queen and his proposal was placed before the 'House of Commons'. But the latter refused to take the proposal further as they thought it would weaken their own arm," said Taqui, citing another book called 'Wajid Ali Shah and the Kingdom of Avadh' by Mirza Ali Azhar Birlas.

He said little reference is available about the exact reason for his action but it is guessed that he wanted to curb the role of East India Company in Avadh. "He probably saw the company as middleman and wanted to deal directly with the empire," he said. APPRECIATION ARCHITECTURE

A guided tour to the Maqbara Saadat Ali Khan made some children who participated in INTACH's Clean Monument Campaign held here on Sunday, realise how creative and consistent their ancestors were. Class VIII student Ankita Mitra said, "There's a symmetry and synchronicity in the design." Another student visitor Samit Kumar loved the tranquility inside the monument. "This was a good break from the noisy coffee-shops," he said. INTACH convenor Vipul Varshney said heritage conservation was about a relationship between the monument and its users besides technical expertise.

"Such interactions are needed to build a bond between the heritage structure and children, the future custodians of heritage," she said. Also present on the occasion, district magistrate Raj Shekhar said the Hussainabad and Allied Trust has been asked to develop a time-bound plan for improving tourist facilities at the Maqbara

- The Times of India, December 7, 2015

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today tried to dispel the apprehension that Jammu could lose focus after direct rail connectivity to Katra, saying an appropriate strategy had been devised to create attractive assets in and around the winter capital to sustain tourist footfall, which had a direct bearing on trade and business in the city.

He described Jammu as a repository of rich heritage reflected in its historic temples and monuments. “Jammu has its own significance. We will create new areas of attraction to make the stay of visitors in Jammu memorable,” he stated.

The Chief Minister made these remarks immediately after inaugurating River Tawi Front Park here. Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh and Minister for Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control Sukhnandan Kumar were present on the occasion. Elaborating upon various measures afoot to position Jammu as a heritage destination, the Chief Minister referred to Mubarak Mandi Complex, which previously housed the state legislature, as a heritage treasure that had huge potential to attract art lovers both from within and outside the country.

He said work on execution of the Jammu ropeway would be expedited, which would come as a shot in the arm for Jammu tourism. He highlighted several other measures taken to diversify tourism-related activities in Jammu region at places such as Ranjit Sagar and Baghliar dams, Sanasar, Marwah, Warwan and Jai Valley in Bhaderwah.

Emphasising upon development of more parks alongside the Tawi front in the city, Mufti said Jammu tourism would receive a fillip once the artificial lake project was completed. Later, the Chief Minister arrived at the Jammu Tawi golf course at Sidhra and distributed prizes among the winners of the Chief Minister’s Golf Cup. The tourney was teed off by Chief Secretary BR Sharma this morning.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the renovated and upgraded Abhinav Theatre here. The refurbished theatre had been commissioned nearly three months after the renovated Tagore Hall was inaugurated by the Chief Minister in Srinagar. In his address, he asked the youth to take the ownership for preserving the composite cultural legacy. He said theatre was a powerful medium which had to become a nerve centre of cultural revival in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh, Minister for Finance Haseeb A Drabu and Minister of State for Culture Priya Sethi were present on the occasion. The hall reverberated with several performances depicting the unique Dogra folk culture, which enthralled the audience. Earlier, Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Aziz Hajini, presented the welcome address, in which he highlighted upcoming events to be organised at Abhinav Theatre.

- The Tribune , December 7, 2015

The archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is planning to incorporate state-of-the-art facilities, including an audio visual (AV) centre, Wi-Fi and better toilet facilities for tourists at some of Goa's heritage sites under the Adarsh Smarak scheme.

The ministry of culture has already chosen the Taj Mahal, Hampi and other monuments in the country under the scheme, but Goa is likely to be considered shortly. The facilities will seek to provide better parking facilities, cafetaria and other amenities to visitors.

"The AV centre will show documentaries so that visitors can actually understand the monument's history, materials used, its special features, archeological significance, before they see it," ASI, additional director general, Shharat Sharma told TOI.

ASI maintains 21 monuments in Goa, including Unesco's world heritage church complex at Old Goa. The central organization has been conserving monuments for several decades and Sharma said it faces a lot of challenges in its work. "The ministry has recognized the challenge and major restructuring proposal of the ASI has already been undertaken. We hope to have much more strength shortly where technical manpower is concerned, particularly for conservation," he said.

The security requirements have been reviewed and recruitment rules and educational qualifications are being examined. "So we are looking at revamping and strengthening the old ASI structure to keep all our monuments up to date," said Sharma.

Natural factors in Goa lead to a lot of maintenance issues especially since there are structures dating back to the Portuguese period and earlier. Sharma said that issues of scientific preservation including paintings in churches and structural conservation are maintained by ASI's Dehradun circle.

"Monuments as old as 400 years are in a good state of preservation. So we have the scientific and technical know-how to look after things," he said. The funds for maintenance of monuments is not too much of an area of concern. "Through the government of India, we get enough resources to look after our monuments, though there is always scope to get more.

Whenever we project a special requirement, the government fulfills it. In addition we also have help from corporate social responsibility (CSR) and national cultural fund." More sites and monuments are crying out to be identified as heritage. Goa heritage lovers identified almost 90 such sites but are yet to hear from authorities. Sharma said the process of transferring properties and titles if it belongs to others is slow and universal value has to be established.

The ministry of culture has now decided that instead of taking up a monument hurriedly, ASI would assess maintenance costs first. "I assess the long-term manpower and conservation cost, then take on the monument for protection. This will streamline it and show upfront how much I need to invest," added Sharma.

- The Times of India , December 7, 2015

All entries were made online on the Kala Utsav website, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Teachers’ Day this year.

A four-day event, organised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to promote Indian culture among school students, kicks off at Bal Bhavan from Tuesday. ‘Kala Utsav’, which, according to the ministry, aims to increase awareness about various Indian art forms and the “country’s rich heritage” among school children, will witness participation from 1,400 students from across India.

The festival is scheduled to be held from December 8 to December 11. “Besides integrating art in education, Kala Utsav seeks to enhance the life skills of the participants and prepare them as agents of Indian culture..,” said a statement issued by the Smriti Irani-led ministry.

As part of the festival, said sources in the ministry, students from across the country will showcase art forms from their respective states through paintings, dance, theatre and musical performances, which will be judged by eminent personalities from the field of arts and culture.

The government has received about 144 entries for the competition — one each of four art forms from the country’s 36 states and Union Territories. All entries were made online on the Kala Utsav website, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Teachers’ Day this year.

- The Indian Express, December 8, 2015

According to UNESCO’s definition, “intangible cultural heritage” is manifested as oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices, and traditional craftsmanship.

AFTER making headlines with the International Yoga Day, India is now pushing to get the practice added to the prestigious Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list. Recently, a dossier nominating yoga for the next Representative List of the ICH was sent to UNESCO. “After seeing the UN’s and the world’s response to the first-ever Yoga Day in June, the government is confident of the ‘ancient Indian practice’ making it to the prestigious list,” said an official from the culture ministry.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), which takes care of the intangible cultural heritage of India, sent a detailed dossier to UNESCO, stressing the pan-Indian, and now global, expanse of yoga, the health benefits of the practice, and how it is practised by all communities and religions. The SNA falls under the purview of the culture ministry. “There were other indigenous items being considered for nomination, including some rare musical and dance traditions, but the committee decided to nominate yoga on a priority basis, over and above everything else,” said Helen Acharya, Secretary, SNA.

But there may be a spanner in the works. Only recently, the government recognised yoga as an ‘Olympic sport’. According to UNESCO’s definition, “intangible cultural heritage” is manifested as oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices, and traditional craftsmanship. With yoga being declared as a sport, it doesn’t fall in any of the above categories for eligibility as ‘cultural heritage’. An official from the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, Paris, admitted this lapse.

“This recent development may affect the nomination of yoga for the Representative ICH list, but the dossier was sent much before yoga was declared as a sport. It will now depend on the subjective opinion of the jury members whether they take the new move into consideration or not,” he added on condition of anonymity. But Acharya thought otherwise. “One should look at the two aspects of yoga separately. While taking into consideration its heritage aspect, I don’t think the UNESCO jury will be affected by its inclusion as a competitive sport. Yoga is a multi-faceted discipline,” she said.

The result for India’s bid will be announced in December 2016. “Each country can nominate only one item every two years. Since thatheras (the community of copper and brass utensil makers based in Punjab) were inscribed on the list in 2014, India can’t compete this year. That is why for yoga to be inscribed on the list, we have to wait till 2016,” added Acharya.

Over the years, from India, Koodiyattam (Sanskrit theatre from Kerala), the tradition of Vedic chanting, Ramlila, Kalbelia and Chhau dance have made it to the prestigious list. Even though the Representative ICH List does not attribute any standard of exclusivity to the inscribed element, the nomination dossier has to enlist measures that the state will take to safeguard the practice, so that it is preserved for generations to come. Interestingly, no other Olympic sport is part of the said list.

- The Indian Express, December 8, 2015

Even as administration is yet to decide on Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Limited (NMRCL)'s first demand for a part of Kasturchand Park land, the company has doubled its requirement for a slice of historical playground and Grade-I heritage. The metro rail developer wants land for proposed metro rail station's approaches. NMRCL's first demand had generated controversy when it came to fore in October. It had submitted an application with the district administration seeking 2,538.28 sq.ft (235.90 sq.mt) in KP for construction of approaches of proposed metro station between RBI square and LIC square on Kamptee road.

As the ground is a Grade-I heritage, the district administration asked NMRCL to seek permission from the heritage conservation committee. Accordingly, a proposal came up before the committee in the meeting held on October 9. The committee headed by Arun Patankar did not take any decision and asked NMRCL to come up with detailed designs and plan. NMRCL submitted detailed designs and plan on November 3.

Shockingly, in this NMRCL doubled the land demand within a span of one month. NMRCL has now asked for 5,613.54 sq ft (521.705 sq.mt) land from the playground. "We require 4,395.01 sq.ft (408.459) land for permanent structures while 1,218.52 sq.ft (113.246 sq.mt) for temporary structures," NMRCL said.

NMRCL has sought 43.90 metre long strip along the road between gate on Kamptee road and RBI square. The land sought between 9.5 metre and 9.1 metres in width. For temporary constructions, land sought is towards the rear of this strip. NMRCL will demolish compound wall along 43.90 metres though it does not say so in its proposal. KP is one of the metro stations proposed on North-South corridor from Automotive square on Kamptee road to MIHAN. Here metro rail will be on second level with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) coming up with flyover between RBI square and LIC square.

Another major worry will be that the metro rail users will use the playground as station in case approaches are constructed within the ground. Many players of different sports play here throughout the day. Metro rail commuters will have free run and may even park vehicles in large numbers destroying the place as a playground.

KP is Grade-I open space as per the state government's notification of heritage structures. Owned by the government, district administration is caretaker of the KP. Excluding two heritage structures, the district administration has not permitted any construction on it for over 100 years. NMRCL has demanded permanent possession and ownership of land in KP. The chances of more such demands from the government and private bodies in future cannot be ruled out in case permission is granted to NMRCL.

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had proposed to construct nation's tallest flag in KP but later changed its mind considering the heritage and historical significance of the ground. Following TOI's story in October, activists had opposed NMRCL's proposal and warned of agitation. Activists also suggested alternative land available in nearby vicinity for building approaches to metro station.

- The Times of India, December 8, 2015

Shocking as it may sound, 278 monuments under the protection of Archaelogical Survey of India has been encroached by individuals and groups. Monuments include Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, Sher Shah Tomb in Sasaram, Bihar, forts of Chittorgarh, Ranthambhor, Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan, Clive House in 24 Parganas, West Bengal, Nili Masjid in Hauz Khas, Sunehri Masjid near Red Fort in Delhi and many more. The list is exhaustive.

Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 96 ASI-protected monuments encroached. Most of them are in historically significant towns like Lucknow, Fatehpur and Mahoba apart from small towns like Hardoi, Faizabad, Lalitpur and others. Karnataka has 57 monuments under encroachment. In Maharashtra 30 monuments have illegal squatters. States like Telangana and West Bengal have only one monument under encroachment.

Giving this information in Lok Sabha on Monday, culture minister Mahesh Sharma said the "total areas of the monuments and the area encroached upon is not available." He said superintending archaeologist in charge of the ASI circles have been vested with the powers of an Estate Officer to issue eviction notices/orders to the encroachers under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. Sharma said ASI also seeks help of state governments in containing and removing encroachments.

And when these steps do not work, actions are initiated against the encroachers by filing cases in courts. To bolster security, he said, regular watch and ward staff, private security personnel, state police guards and CISF have also been provided for the safety and security of selected monuments. Sharma said the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities has documented about 80,000 built heritage and sites from various secondary sources.

However, the reply that also gives a break-up of the kind of security deployed at centrally-protected monuments shows that most monuments are being protected by private security personnel. Only Taj Mahal and Red Fort are manned by CISF personnel. Sixty-one ASI monuments are secured by 1,447 private security personnel and nine supervisors.

- The Times of India, December 8, 2015

Officials said the dedicated post has been created so as to “enable focused monitoring and coordination of mission activities with all the states and Union territories by a senior officer as Mission Director”.

The Ministry of Urban Development has decided to create a dedicated post of Joint Secretary solely for handling the Swachh Bharat mission in order to boost the Prime Minister’s pet initiative.

Presently Joint Secretary Praveen Prakash is in charge of the mission in addition to handling the Central Public Works Department of India and the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY). Sources said the ministry is considering handing over the responsibility to B Anand, a Tamil Nadu-cadre joint secretary-level IAS officer, who was posted to the department last week.

“B Anand is expected to take charge soon. Once that happens, the ministry will take a call on whether to hand over the Swachh Bharat Mission Director’s charge to him or whether to let Prakash hold the sole charge while freeing him of other charges,” said a source. Officials said the dedicated post has been created so as to “enable focused monitoring and coordination of mission activities with all the states and Union territories by a senior officer as Mission Director”.

The Rs 62,009 crore urban part of the Swachh Bharat mission was launched in October last year with the aim of constructing 1.04 crore individual household toilets, 5.08 lakh community/ public toilets and ensuring 100 per cent door-to-door collection and scientific disposal in all 4,041 statutory cities and towns. However, till date, only 6 lakh individual and 28,948 public/ community toilets have been constructed under the mission.

“When the Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas was approved by the government, a post of director was approved. Subsequently, on the proposal of the MoUD, the government has approved upgrading of the post of director to that of joint secretary,” said the official.

- The Indian Express, December 8, 2015

Combined assault of severe air pollution and acid rain could destroy facade of buildings, say experts

They may have stood the test of time, but Delhi’s monuments could now be affected by the city’s highly polluted air. While some experts believe that a spurt in air pollution levels may cause historical structures to erode, others say it may take another century for the monuments to get corroded. With several monitoring stations across Delhi reporting “severe” pollution warnings, the poor air quality has caught the attention of conservationists.

A retired Archaeological Survey of India official said that vehicular emissions in Delhi would have long-term impact on the monuments. “But more alarming would be if we had acid rain, as sulphur dioxide has a dissolution effect on marble,” said the official. The combined assault of air pollution and acid rain would be more pronounced on monuments with a white façade, according to AGK Menon, the convenor of INTACH’s Delhi chapter. “Structural damage to the Taj Mahal’s white surface is more visible, unlike the damage done to the surface of Humayun’s Tomb or the Parliament,” he said.

However, a section of experts say that Delhi’s monuments, which are mostly built with long-lasting materials, cannot be eroded just by air pollution alone. “It is the limestone structures of Europe that are susceptible to damage from air pollution. In Delhi, the monuments, including Humayun's Tomb, are built to last,” said Ratish Nanda, a conservation architect and the projects director for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

He added that the particulate matter that harms humans the most can easily be washed off buildings, which is something the management of the Lotus Temple does. The National Green Tribunal is currently hearing a petition filed by lawyer Sanjeev Ailawadi, who had said that vehicular emissions were turning the white marble façade of the Lotus Templte yellow. Arguments are on in the case.

Meanwhile, there is a growing demand for the need to protect monuments. The NGO Itihaas organised its seventh annual summit on Tuesday to focus on preserving cities’ heritages. The speakers addressed about 125 educationists on the need to get students involved with conserving heritage. (Anthony Rozario is an intern with The Hindu )

- The Hindu, December 9, 2015

The ministry of culture has collaborated with the ministry of human resources development to start a course on heritage conservation at IIT-Kharagpur. The course, christened as `Planning and Management of Cultural Heritage Sites', will be for graduates with specific specialisations.

Earlier, some museums, archaeology departments of higher educational institutions and organisations like Intach had been running certificate courses on conservation. The IIT course will start this winter and will be hosted for specialists during winter and summer breaks. The first batch will have 50 students, who have been selected through strict screening.The batch consists of architects, archaeologists, urban designer, civil engineers, art historians and urban geographers.

Experts from India and abroad have already arrived on campus to get on with the first leg of the course. Jukka Jokilehto, a World Heritage advisor from 2000 to 2006 to Unesco and now an international consultant, will lead the course along with IITKharagpur faculty co-ordinator Sanghamitra Basu.

Basu, apart from being a senior faculty at the architecture department, was also a member of the National Monuments Authority . Other teachers involved with the course are Shikha Jain (past member secretary for the advisory World Heritage Committee, ministry of culture), Mehr-Azar Soheil (an expert on WHS in the Middle East), Rohit Jigyasu, president of ICOMOS India and an international expert on disaster management of heritage sites.

The course will have lectures covering the history of architectural conservation, various charters, norms and conventions relating to heritage conservation, including Unesco World Heritage Convention, methodologies for planned interventions.

"The topics will expose the participants to the entire gamut of necessary activities: mapping of heritage sites via scientific tools and techniques (GIS, satellite imagery), planning for interventions, protection measures, and management of Cultural Heritage sites," said Basu.

"The course sounds encouraging. A lot of our heritage is destroyed for want of care and we need to create a pool of experts who can restore and conserve in a professional way . So if an IIT has started a course like this, we might finally be able to help our treasured heritage," Mishra said.

- The Times of India, December 9, 2015

It's a double bonanza for visitors at Patna Book Fair (PBF) as apart from books, they can also pick art forms of different parts of India at the 'Made in India stall'. Describing it as one of the unique features of this year's fair, Amit Jha, convenor of the PBF said, "This concept is unique in its kind. Artisans are not only displaying their work, but also giving live demonstrations."

Altogether 12 different kinds of rural art forms have been exhibited here under the aegis of 'The India Art Investment Company Private Ltd'. Its CEO Prashant Singh said, "Our motto is to preserve, promote and empower the rural art. India has seen Green Revolution as well as White Revolution, now is the time for Cultural Revolution in our country. We need to preserve the rich heritage of the country."

Inside the Made in India pavilion, one can find various art forms like Warli painting from Maharashtra, Phad painting from Rajasthan, Kalighat painting from West Bengal, Madhubani painting from Bihar and Kalamkari painting from Andhra Pradesh. The articles ranging from a book mark to Phad painting are available in the price range of Rs 10 to Rs 40,000. The artists have given a little twist to their traditional art form as paintings are available on T-shirts and stoles too preferred mostly by college-going students.

Mamoni Chitrakar, a Kalighat artist, has introduced new concept in her traditional art form. Mamoni, who learnt this art form from her family members, said, "Earlier, paintings based on Ramayana and Mahabharata used to find many takers. For a change, I have made paintings based on Nirbhaya gang rape, 9/11 attack and wedding of fish this time." Interestingly, Mamoni first sings and thinks of an idea before starting to paint. In fact, she explains her art to the visitors through song.

These artists, who have come from different parts of the country, are also painting three different wheels at the fair. "For the first time, painting on one piece is being done, which will be gifted to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and the third one will be auctioned," Singh said. "We cannot find wooden wheels even in villages now, just like many tribal art forms which have vanished. Wheel also represents life cycle. In our flag, it represents different states of India."

Nandu Sharma, who was busy painting wheels using his Phad style, said, "I am happy to be here because Patna is an old city with rich cultural heritage. But I found Patna very dusty and dirty. The wheel which I am painting is also old, but after painting it will have a beautiful look. Hence people should also try to keep their city clean and beautiful."

- The Times of India, December 9, 2015

With colleges reopening for the next term post Diwali holidays, one can look forward to getting back to the grind in a week or two. But before academics and co-curricular activities take up most of your day, why not embark on a journey to some of Aurangabad's museums? Having preserved the cultural heritage of eras gone, these museums are treasure troves of information waiting to be explored. So, before you get busy with the next term of college, Auranagabad Times tells you about the city museums worth a visit.

Hyderabad Marathwada Mukti Sangram Museum, Siddharth Garden Entry: Free Time: 10.30 am-6 pm

The museum is dedicated to the memory of the struggle to liberate Marathwada from theNizam of Hyderabad in 1948. The paintings on display here recreate scenes of the freedom struggle. The entrance to the museum is beautifully designed and is mesmerizing. "Even though India became independent on August 15, 1947, the people of Hyderabad state, including those in Marathwada, had to wait for another 13 months to get freedom from the Nizam's rule. The museum is the place to head to, if one want to know more about this story of bravery and victory," says Nayab Ansari, member of Aurangabad history academy.

Must see: The portraits of heroes associated with the Marathwada freedom struggle Soneri Mahal, BR Ambedkar Marathwada University campus Entry: Rs 5 per person Time: 10.30 am-5.30 pm

Built by Bundelkhand chief Paharsingh in 17th century, Soneri Mahal is a picturesque palace at the foot hills of scenic Satara mountain range. The palace interiors are adorned with paintings made with pure gold. The historical monument has now been converted into a museum that has nine galleries displaying regional antiquities such as sculptures, paintings, ornaments, pottery and weaponry.

Noteworthy among the display are the paintings acquired from different parts of Maharashtra. "Very few of the paintings are intact as many of them could not withstand the ravages of time. The few that we have are visual wonders," says Uday Surve, assistant curator of the museum. The paintings reveal the artistic sensibilities of the people of the past and are worth treasuring for future generations, mentions Surve.

Must see: The darbaar hall's 10 arches History Museum, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University Campus Entry: Rs 5 per person Timings: 10.30 am-5.30pm The museum houses artefacts dating the Paleolithic to the Satavahana dynasty era. The collections reveal the cultural and artistic facets of some of India's glorious eras. The museum has two display gallery halls that exhibit more than 125 sculptures telling stories from of art and life in Marathwada.

One can witness sculptures, a fascinating collection of coins, religious manuscripts, utensils, armour, canons, weapons and ancient ornaments, all under one roof. "We also have a wide collection of 5,000 rare antiques, many of which have been donated by passionate collectors," says Kumar Bhawar, curator of the museum. He also mentioned the need to have at least two or three more galleries in order for it to be possible to display the entire collection. Must see: Beautiful paintings showcasing scenes from the Maratha, Mughal and the Rajput eras Matoshree Kaushalya Purwar Museum, Sarafa Road Entry: Free Time: 10.30 am to 6 pm

Located inside an ancient haveli, this museum was founded by Dr SS Purwa in 1970. The 15 galleries here showcase the personal collections of Dr Purwar. Some of the artefacts on display include those from the pre-Harappan era, ancient Indian sculptures and bronze idols, paintings, coins, seals, manuscripts, paithanis saris and stamps. Prakash Purwar, museum director, says, "Every year, we organise two to three exhibitions for people to be able to soak in the information about the glorious and unknown parts of our history and culture.

Our aim is to create awareness and keep history alive in the hearts of people." Must see: 500-year-old Paithani sari and seal of Alexander the Great Shrimat Chatrapati Shivaji Museum, Subhedari guest house Entry: Rs 5 per person Timings: 10.30 am-6 pm

The museum is dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The exhibits on display tell stories of the glorious reign of the brave king, showcased in six galleries. The photo gallery reveals forts built and conquered by Shivaji. The display comprises Maratha war weapons and other artefacts from the battlefield of some of the most popular wars that the Marathas fought. Looking at the display, visitors can also get a detailed idea of the lifestyles of the people of Shivaji Maharaj's era.

"I frequently visit this place with friends and relatives and every time I go there, I end up learning something new. There is a lot to be seen here that one can't cover in a single visit," says Alok Shinde, a polytechnic student. Must see: 500-year-old war suit from the era, a numismatic collection containing coins from 3 BC to the modern era

- The Times of India, December 9, 2015

On one side, the state and Central governments are giving importance to Buddhist heritage sites at the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati, but on the other side, it is neglecting monasteries at Adapur of Nandalur mandal in Kadapa district. Encroachments have come up at Adapur Buddhist monasteries that are maintained by the State Archaeology Department. The place has also become a den for anti-social elements.

According to the guidelines of State Archaeology department, no new constructions should be undertaken at the ancient sites and they should be preserved in whatever form they are in. But at Adapur, due to negligence of the Archaeology department it is becoming a graveyard. As there are no toilet and drinking water facilities, the tourists who are visiting the heritage site are facing lot of difficulties.

The Buddhist Society of India (BSI) state vice-president, A Sampat Kumar, speaking to Express, said that they have noticed encroachments at the Buddhist monasteries at Adapur during their recent visit. “We found a grave and a flag belonging to a particular community at the premises of the monasteries which was brought to the notice of the Archaeology department,” he said. He appealed to the government whip and Rajampet MLA M Mallikarjuna Reddy, to take measures to develop the site as a tourist place.

When contacted, State Archaeology department assistant director D Pattabhireddy said that he had already directed the Kadapa museum incharge and technical assistant Gangadhar to inspect the place and submit a report on the encroachments on the Adapur Buddhist sites.

Siddis were brought by Portuguese merchants to the Indian subcontinent.

Want to know of the life and achievements of prominent Africans settled in India for five centuries? Known as Siddis, the people of African origin have been integral to India’s socio-cultural heritage, Karnataka being one of them besides Gujarat. An exhibition, ‘Africans in India: a rediscovery’ by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Southern Regional Centre (IGNCA-SRC), has an array of 53 impressive photographic reproductions of paintings sourced from private collections and museums.

It also has contemporary photographs from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York. Curated by Sylviane A. Diouf and Kenneth X. Robbins, the exhibition recalls the contributions of Africans who distinguished themselves as commanders, generals, admirals, and rural rulers of empires. Rich heritage

The Siddis, who continue to live in India, descended from Southeast Africa and were brought by Portuguese merchants to the Indian subcontinent as traders and slaves and stayed on to become rulers of States and trusted aides of local kings. Malik Ambar, who was Prime Minister of Ahmadnagar State, opposed the Mughals so fiercely that in 1616 Jahangir commissioned a portrait of himself on top of the world shooting Ambar.

The ancestral links of the Afro-Indian Siddis, Africans in the Deccani Sultanates, Africans in Indian Paintings, and African Sufi Saints are some of the topics in the exhibition. One of the best captured African descents is lawyer Sachin in Gujarat who takes care of 13 villages, while people living there refer to the areas in these villages as ‘Sachin State.’

Population areas Of the nearly one lakh Siddi population across India, more than a third live in Karnataka around Yellapur, Haliyal, Ankola, Joida, Mundgod, and Sirsi taluks of Uttara Kannada and in Khanapur of Belagavi and Kalghatgi of Dharwad district. Many migrated to Pakistan after independence. Architects

“They were also savvy city planners and architects, according to the curators who have researched material with them at the Schomburg Center,” said K.M. Chandrashekar, programme officer, IGNCA-SRC. Apart from the Siddis’ military skills, their construction dexterity mirrored in their forts, mosques, and museums built centuries ago that the pictures showcase.

“Africans here had 600 princely States under them, which are integrated into the Indian States. They had their own coins and stamps and are said to have devised an efficient postal system,” Mr. Chandrashekar adds. ‘Africans in India: A rediscovery’ will be on at IGNCA, Nagarabhavi, near Kalagrama, till December 26. Call 080-23212320 for details

- The Hindu, December 9, 2015

The Hyderabad chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has deplored the issue of GO 183, deleting the Regulation 13 of the HUDA Zonal Regulations that provided protection to heritage buildings in the city.

In a statement, P. Anuradha Reddy, convenor of the chapter, said the government has taken a regressive step which could pave the way for the demolition of many listed heritage buildings and precincts. It would also discourage initiatives to protect built and natural heritage like the unique rock formations.

She said Hyderabad’s rich and diverse heritage has attracted travellers and tourists from all over the world and generated significant revenue for the State. “Hyderabad is a world class citybecause of its history and heritage and not an identity-less clone of so many new cities that we seem to want to ape”.

It was unfortunate that instead of strengthening the legal framework for conservation of heritage buildings, the existing laws were being treated as obstacles to development, she said.

- The Hindu, December 10, 2015

Outraged by the lack of concern meted out to heritage structures in the city, civil society groups have demanded that the state government withdraw a controversial GO, which paves way for demolition of heritage structures. The government order, issued on Monday, spelt doom for the 160-odd heritage structures which until recently, were legally protected from facing the bulldozer.

"In one stroke, the government removed all the protection that was entitled to a heritage structure. Now, the path is clear for the government to raze any heritage structure. This multi-cultural history of Hyderabad which prides itself with a mix of architecture and styles, will be all wiped out," said M Vedakumar, president, Forum for a Better Hyderabad. He also demanded that the government cancel GO MS 183, with immediate effect, which deals with deletion of Regulation 13.

Regulation 13 was added to the then Hyderabad Urban Development Authority Zoning Regulations in 1995 through GO MS 542. The regulation provided for the "conservation of listed buildings, areas, artefacts, structures and precincts of historical, aesthetic and architectural value", collectively known as "heritage buildings and precincts".

These listed structures include the Osmania General Hospital (OGH), whose fate hangs in a balance, and others such as the four arches around Charminar, Arts College in Osmania University and Assembly building.

Earlier, when the government had mulled plans for the demolition of the Osmania General Hospital's heritage block, they ran into hurdles by heritage activists and the legal wrangles of the order.

In an order released by the municipal administration and urban development department(MAUD), the government described the regulation as "inconsistent" with the AP Urban Areas (Development) Act of 1975. "After the formation of the state of Telangana, the government has considered the issue and felt that the Regulation 13 is inconsistent with the AP Act 1/1975", the order read. It also stated that the opinion of the advocate general had been sought and that he was of the same opinion.

With the government rendering the act null and void, private owners of the notified buildings will be given a free hand to demolish or modify the structure. On Tuesday, when TOI sought a response from the government officials, they described the issue as "sensitive" and declined to comment.

- The Times of India, December 10, 2015

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee presented Shilp Guru awards to National Awardees and shilp guns in a function at Vigyan Bhawan recently. The shilp guns and National awardees from all over India participated. Twenty One shilp gun Awards and 59 National Awards presented to master craftsperson for the year 2012, 2013 and 2014. This includes 16 women awardees. The main objective is to give recognition to masters for their excellence in craftsmanship and valuable contribution to Indian Handicrafts.

Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Textiles (I C), SK Panda, secretary (Textiles), JK Dadoo, AS and financial advisor (Textiles), K Gopal, development commissioner (Handicrafts) graced the occasion. Mukherjee said, “It is indeed a matter of great satisfaction for me to be amongst you today for conferring the prestigious National Awards and Shilp Guru Awards to outstanding Master crafts persons for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014.

I would like to first of all congratulate the awardees and express my deep appreciation for their excellent contribution to the preservation and promotion of Indian handicraft traditions and enriching the cultural heritage of our country.” He said, “Our indigenous handicrafts are a cherished aspect of the Indian way of life. Their extensive range reflects our nation's diversity and infinite creativity.

Each geographic region and even sub-region-has its individual style and tradition — that stems from the ancient life-rhythms of its society. Our shilpkaars have, down the centuries, developed their own often unique methods and techniques to bring life into stone and metal, sandalwood and clay.” They had, a very long time ago, perfected scientific and engineering processes far ahead of their times.

Production of handicraft items provides livelihood opportunity to lakhs of people living in rural areas at a low capital investment, has good domestic and international market, forms parts of the Indian heritage, culture and tradition. It has several indirect benefits as well. Like low carbon emission, low demand on scarce resources like electricity, facilitates environmental conservation and checks migration to urban areas.

Production of handicraft items holds special significance in the economic empowerment of women living in the rural areas, as production can be made within the house along with other household chores. Women are a large part of the work force and constitute over 50 per cent of the artisans’ sector. It is estimated that over 70 lakh people are earning their livelihood from production of handicrafts and related activities.

The president said, “As per available information, handmade carpets constituted three per cent of the total export of India and increased from `7,llO crore (2013-14) to `8,442 crore (20 14-15) with a growth of 19 per cent over the previous year. Exports of handicrafts excluding handmade carpets constituted 11 per cent of total exports and grew from `23,504 crore (2013-14) to `27,747 crore (20 14-15). Artmetal wares (`5,244 crore). Wood wares (`4,477 crore).

Imitation jewellery(`1,959 ~crore). The export of handicrafts including handmade carpets grew from `30,614 crore to `36,189 crore. The domestic market is equally important and has been growing with the growing size of the urban based upper middle class. The export of handicrafts including handmade carpets grew from `30,6l4 crore to `36,189 crore. The domestic market is equally important and has been growing with the growing size of the urban based upper middle class.

He said, “I am happy that various schemes for development of handicrafts sector have been reviewed and a comprehensive National Handicraft Development programme has been launched which emphasizes integrated approach for development of handicraft cluster in a holistic manner. Major thrust is now being given to result oriented focused implementation of various interventions. New approach is built on the key element of empowering artisans by skill upgradation, design development, technology upgradation and supply of raw material through easily accessible common facility centres at cluster level.

Developing and strengthening marketing linkages through various options such as exporters, direct sale, participation in sale expos, e-commerce is another major component of new approach. I am also happy to know that opportunities now available with penetration of Information Technology are being exploited for providing assistance to artisans directly through Aadhar linked bank accounts.”

- The Pioneer, December 10, 2015

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded that all water bodies within the corporation limits be cleaned.In a petition to the Mayor on Tuesday, M. Murugesan, secretary, CPI(M), Salem North Urban Committee, said that many districts in the State have been inundated in the recent rain. It was mainly because of poor maintenance of water bodies, and encroachment of water channels, he added.

He wanted the corporation to have a long term policy in maintaining water bodies. All the water bodies in the corporation limits, including Pallapatti Lake, should be cleaned and freed of encroachments. Sufficient number of conservancy workers should be posted in all the 60 wards, the petition said.

- The Hindu, December 10, 2015

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is working to direct more grey water from its tertiary treatment plants to industrial areas. Recently, it has tied up with the gas-based electric plant coming up in Yelahanka to supply it with 60 million litres of water a day (MLD).

BWSSB generates around 600 MLD grey water from tertiary treatment plants in different parts of the city. However, only around five per cent of the treated water is currently being used while the rest is released into the city’s polluted lakes and water bodies. T M Vijay Bhaskar, Chairperson, BWSSB, said, “We are trying our best to put grey water to better use and stop it flowing into water bodies. It can be used for non-potable purposes, and can help reduce the load on current potable water resources.”

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board had issued an order recommending that treated water be made mandatory for non-potable purposes like washing cars, flushing toilets, washing and watering golf courses and parks. Grey water from 15 MLD plants in Lalbagh and Cubbon Park is being used for watering in both gardens. Most golf courses also use treated water, and around 10 MLD of grey water is supplied to Bangalore Aerospace Park.

An earlier recommendation to the BWSSB said it should supply treated water to various industrial areas. However, this has not yet been implemented due to lack of supply pipelines. “We have had many meetings with the stake holders, and the industries are willing to use water from our plants. But we are working towards figuring out transportation,” said Vijay Bhaskar. “Soon our tertiary treatment plant coming up near the airport will start supplying around 40 MLD to industries in the area.”

In addition, BWSSB had held meetings to hasten the laying of pipelines to transport water to Kolar. Under this project, around 400 MLD of treated water will be channelised to rejuvenate dying lakes in that district.

The project had already received government approval and once implemented, it will reduce water wastage. It is mandatory for all apartments buildings with more than five flats to have their own sewage treatment plants and rain water harvesting systems, and use the grey water for non-potable use.

Currently, the BWSSB is busy laying potable water pipelines and drainage systems. Soon after this, work on grey water pipes will begin. These will reduce the load on the Cauvery water the city is largely dependent on.

- The Indian Express, December 10, 2015

The developer of Glocal Square mall in Sitabuldi, Goel Ganga Infrastructure and Real Estate Pvt Ltd, has built a shop over heritage structure Buty Baoli (step-well) adjacent to Abhyankar road. Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) has turned a blind eye towards the brazen violation despite having received complaints about it. The violation has been going on for last one year.

The case came to fore through a public interest litigation filed by activist and a resident of Sitabuldi Akshay Pandey through advocate Shreerang Bhandarkar in Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court. Bhandarkar has registered the PIL. A TOI visit to the spot confirmed the violation. The developer has denied any wrongdoing claiming the shop was only a temporary structure that would be removed.

Goel Ganga started developing the Glocal Square mall on the land meant for erstwhile Abhyankar Road Widening and Buty Mahal Street Scheme about a year ago. The existing shops in proposed project area have been housed in in temporary structures along Abhyankar road. A garment shop in temporary but plush G+1 floor structure on Abhyankar road has been constructed over the Buty Baoli. There is a wooden block that covers the well. Though the well has not been filled up, it cannot be seen from any angle it has been totally covered by the floor of the shop.

It is not clear if the structure has suffered any damage. The well has fairly deep water. Once famous for its structure, staircases and compartments inside, it is now completely obscured by the shop. Interestingly, the Heritage Conservation Committee that turned down many proposals of government agencies for development on heritage places, issued clearance for the commercial complex with seven conditions on November 18, 2011.

One of the conditions was, "Buty Baoli shall be restored, conserved and suitably protected by enclosure in a manner that shall ensure no tampering with the structure and at the same time allow people to have a view of baoli." "NIT shall ensure the Buty Baoli shall be free from all type of encroachments and restored and conserved to its maximum possible original glory," was committee's another condition.

A member from the committee told TOI clearance was given as developer said no structure will come upon the baoli. "Developer said baoli was in front margin of project. Clearance was asked citing chances of construction materials felling into it. Committee advised developer to cover the baoli with glass during construction period and later remove it," he said.

Pandey said a written complaint was lodged with NIT when shop was constructed over baoli a year ago. "NIT team visited the spot too but did nothing. Everyone at the NIT knows about the encroachment. There were other structures adjacent to baoli that are missing now. Therefore I have sought protection from court for the heritage structure," he said. Pandey also alleged the developer had constructed retaining wall along nullah on project's rear side without seeking any permission from NMC.

"Notice was served to developer after receiving complaints. NMC then gave permission in a suspicious manner. Nullah has shrunk and its bed has been concretized. A container has been placed over it. The developer did not leave requisite space from nullah," he said.

Anup Khandelwal of Goel Ganga denied any violation and said baoli will be restored to its original glory once the project was complete. "We did not fill or damage the baoli. We just closed it to prevent construction materials falling into it. We obtained necessary permission from heritage conservation committee too," he said. On nullah, Khandelwal said necessary permission was obtained from the NMC. "Water from nullah used to enter construction site. We built retaining wall along the nullah using our own money saving civic body's money," he said. Peep Into Baoli

* Government enlisted baoli as Grade-I heritage well mentioning it as octagonal stone structure in plan, arched niches at lower level, overlooking the shaft, staircase leads to the lower level as per notification dated December 16, 2004
* Baoli used to have staircases upto water level from two sides. It is said that family members of royal family used to take bath in baoli. There were compartments inside the baoli for resting and other purposes
* Later baoli water was even used for drinking but it got contaminated a few years ago Clearance Conditions
* NIT to ensure no encroachments on baoli which must be restored to its original glory
* Allow people to have a view of baoli
* Structure should be lead example in conservation and preservation
* All conditions shall be part of contract between NIT and developer
* Heritage committee shall be updated with progress of restoration and conservation from time to time


- The Times of India, December 10, 2015

Telangana Government Advisor B.V. Papa Rao promises a better and comprehensive order

Amid a gloomy scenario triggered by the issue of a Government Order that left 160 heritage buildings in the city vulnerable, B.V. Papa Rao, Advisor to the Telangana Government on Thursday hinted at a comprehensive order in its place.

“We are looking at the issue and we will soon come out with a better and comprehensive order”, he said responding to questions from agitated heritage activists at the inauguration of a conference on “Engaging Hyderabad with Conservation”, organised by Aga Khan Trust for Culture at Salar Jung Museum auditorium. Mr. Rao appeared upset when Sajjad Shahid, representative of INTACH Hyderabad chapter, raised the issue while proposing a vote of thanks.

Mr. Shahid said all those who worked for listing and conservation of heritage buildings for about three decades now were surprised and disappointed with the issue of GO 183 on December 7 that deleted Regulation 13 of HUDA Zoning Regulations which was like a protective ring around these structures. In contrast to the theme of the conference, INTACH representatives were neither engaged in a dialogue nor taken into confidence by the government on heritage conservation, he said.

Their attempts to meet Mr. Rao and other officials never materialised, he added. Others in the audience too started asking similar questions. Intervening Mr. Rao countered and said it was wrong to say that he was not available. INTACH members and activists never approached him.

Now that it has been brought to his notice he would look into it. INTACH members later said it was the responsibility of the government to consult them before taking a decision that sealed the fate of heritage buildings. INTACH members say it is the responsibility of the government to consult them before taking a decision on heritage buildings

- The Hindu, December 11, 2015

The Municipal Corporation is all set to initiate proceedings to hand over Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama to the Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB). Decision in this regard was taken during a meeting held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in Chandigarh recently.

Now, the Municipal Corporation (MC) will table a resolution in this regard in its House meeting. After the ratification by the MC House it will be handed over to the board. Subsequently, the camp office of Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, running on its premises, will also be shifted. The panorama was thrown open to the public in 2006, but it failed to attract good number of tourists visiting the holy city.

Many reasons are cited behind the failure of authorities concerned to popularise the panorama among tourists. One of the major reasons is said to be administrative control vested in the civic body.

The Central and state governments intend to make Amritsar a world-class city under the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) and have set aside crores for maintaining its rich cultural heritage, but city’s landmark Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama has failed to draw attention of the visitors. Panorama’s building was designed cylindrically depicting the visual documentation of the Maharaja near Summer Palace at the historical Ram Bagh here.

Built at a cost of Rs5 crore by the National Council of Science Museums, an autonomous organisation of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, it failed to impress the tourists even after eight years of its establishment. Officials believe that involvement of multiple departments in controlling the panorama has left it in bad shape. The building is under the jurisdiction of the MC, whereas the custodian of the artifacts in the panorama is the Department of Punjab Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museum.

While the cash-strapped MC showed its inability to bear the maintenance cost of the panorama, the state’s Cultural Affairs Department opined that it was responsibility of the civic body to look after it. MC officials and even Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora accepted that the onus of maintaining the panorama rested on the MC, but cash crunch was the main hurdle.

Only a few months ago the MC had given a complete facelift to the panorama, situated inside the historic Ram Bagh. Statues were given a fresh coat of paint, lighting system and air-conditioning was also revamped. CCTV cameras were installed recently following an incident of theft. The main attraction of the panorama is a gigantic 12-metre tall and 100-metre long painting depicting six major battles spread over a span of over 40 years’ rule of the Maharaja.

- The Tribune, December 11, 2015

These days more than 1.1 billion people in the developing countries including India have no adequate access to drinking water and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation facilities. In India alone, approximately 50 million people still have no provision for drinking pure water and more than 450 million people obtain partial supply of drinking water. More than 200 million of the rural poor dwell in the rainfed areas.

These risk prone areas exhibit a wide variation not only for drinking water but also instability in crop yields. Thus, one of the most serious problems which the rural people face is lack of drinking water for their own consumption as well as for their cattle and irrigating the crops. Water required for cooking, bathing, washing of clothes and other domestic chores also becomes difficult to come by. Not only this, the drinking water which is available is neither clean and is nor free from harmful bacterial contamination.

Water supply system being State Subject, its all schemes for supplying drinking water are always for mulated and implemented by the state government, except those which have to be run through Central Government. As for instance, Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programmes (ARWSP) are submitted through Central Government for technical scrutiny and approval. Now a days seven basic areas have been identified to accelerate the development of the rural area. Of which three have been accorded on top priority. These are drinking water, primary education and construction of roads. The remaining consist of housing, streamlining of Public Distribution System and Public Health facilities in rural and urban areas.

The position of drinking water supply in many areas of the country is inadequate, while in others especially in hilly areas where rainfall is quite satisfactory, however, facilities for storing the water are not yet available in the hilly areas. In drought prone areas, there is immense pressure on the scarce water supplies to meet numerous other demands like bathing, washing of clothes and cooking along with meeting the drinking water requirement. Whatever, meager sources from springs, ponds and wells often become contaminated with harmful microbes.

In rural India, water is generally obtained from wells, ponds, lakes, rivers etc. At many places women folk have to bring potable water from far off places. The rural economy depends on agriculture for which water is considered the most important input. Water for agriculture is normally drawn from ponds, canals, rivers and wells. Many people living in the countryside do not know that water containing excessive fluoride leads to a disease known as Fluorosis in humans and animals. In this disease, teeth and bones become soft and brittal and hence incapable of their functions normally. Such ailments are quite wide spread in some rural areas of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and West Bengal.

In India, as also in many other countries pollution of rivers has been a big problem. As is well known that some states are already facing water crises, both in the rural and urban areas. Lakhs of residents living in 40 villages of Ludhiana are yet to get reprieve from the pollution caused to underground water by the Budda Nallah, a large sewerage drain that crisscrosses the district and carries toxic elements into the river Sutlej. The water of the river Ganges flowing by the side of both Allahabad/Vanaras and Kolkata is extremely polluted, and contains all sorts of dangerous bacteria. This water does not remain fit to drink for the rural people living in the villages lying in the path of the river.

Many women in the village of Budgam, Baramulla, Pulwama and Handwara of Kashmir valley have admitted they were having many health problems like Diarrhoea, frequent skin fungal disease and itchiness were generally using dirty and polluted water, for bathing or washing their clothes or due to coming in contact with night soil (Ezabir All, 2008). Strategies

As water is a major component of life and environment with its limited fresh resources, so it must be utilized quite economically. Citing priorities, it was said that water is first to be provided for drinking and, thereafter for irrigation, power generation and shipping and industry.

The villages which do not have an assured source of drinking water within a reasonable distance i.e 1.6 Km; where the available water has an excess of salinity, Fe, Mn, F and other toxic elements and those in which diseases like cholera, guinea-worm etc; are endemic. These villages are considered the problematic ones and are required to be under the 20 point programme of the government. Moreover, all these villages must be included in the minimum needs programme as laid down in the fifth plan and onwards. State Governments are required to reconsider some new policies concerning redefinition of problem villages, per capita norm, delegation of powers for giving technical approval to chief engineers and utilizing available funds for the schemes.

The twelfth five year plan should cover villages which do not have an assured water supply in the rural areas within a distance of 0.5 Km against norm of 1.6m. Where the physiographic gradients are not favourable, it is necessary to lift water, lifting being done manually or by bullock. In many areas where water in wells and other natural sources is saline because of dissolved salts and other impurities. Such areas have to be supplied with drinking water through tankers or where this is not possible, women folk have to bear the burden of carrying drinking water over tire some distances.

Illicit cutting or felling of trees i.e, deforestation must be totally banned. It is because with the increased deforestation of the catchments of the lakes and rivers, the top soil during rains particularly in rainy season, becomes loose and finds its way into the water bodies through run off.

Along with the soil, there is entry of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus which lead to an intensification of Eutrophication. Settling of soil down at the bottom of lakes accompanied with eutrophication tend the lakes shallow and reduction of their water spread area. The water of the water bodies become dirty unfit for drinking purposes. It is necessary that not only proper plans be formulated but also that they are implemented sincerely.

The difficulties in securing clean drinking water faced by people in the rural areas as well as district head quarters of Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, Reasi in the recent past must be tackled effectively. Drinking water has to make free from diseases germs like bacteria, Viruses, protozoa and worms besides being physically clean and acceptable in taste. In any planning for drinking water supply schemes, these are the most important factors to be kept in mind for the smooth living of the rural people.

Total sanitation campaign (TSC) is required to be implemented wherever it is possible. Most of the women including men of many rural areas of Kashmir valley felt that since they have adopted the sanitary latrine the incidence of Diarrhoea in children has been reduced in their households. They have also realized that women had lesser skin and eye infection due to adoption of TSC.

As water is the main problem of the villages due to its scarcity and contamination, so water harvesting has been accorded high priority in the watershed. For this purpose land has to be developed to receive the rainwater in such a way so as to utilize the maximum for plant growth and rest into storage or ground water storage for later use by man and animal. The PHE Department should deploy its staff by rotation to control the waste water, where it occurs frequently through leaking pipes and other top soil during rains particularly.

(The author is former Associate Dean-cum Chief Scientist KVK, SKUAST-J) [email protected]

- http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/, December 11, 2015

Visions, the annual cultural festival of the SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sion in association with the Times of India will kick start on Monday. In its 24th year, the inter-collegiate festival this time has decided to not have a theme and hence has called it the Visions 2015-A revolution. "Visions will have no thematic restrictions on any event and gives participants the freedom to do perform in any way they choose," said Smriti Mani, member of the organising committee.

Over two days-December 14 and 15-large participation is expected in Performing Arts, Digitals and Informals. The sports events like chess, carrom and table tennis were held at the college gymkhana on December 6 followed by a few more in the following days.

The festival also will be hosting a treasure hunt in the area between Dadar and Sion. Among the celebrity guests who will visit the college festival as judges is also actor, Dino Morea. A competition for selfie lovers, Insta-Scavenger, will expect participants to click selfies while they complete the tasks assigned.

- The Times of India, December 12, 2015

Emotions run high at the heritage conference as activists question deletion of Regulation 13

Emotions ran high at a seminar on Hyderabad Heritage, when angry civil society members, including a former bureaucrat, questioned government officials over the deletion of Regulation 13 from the rule book, due to which heritage buildings are no longer protected.

N.R. Visalatchy, Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Telangana, and N. Taher, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), were the two officials who had a torrid time as V.K. Bhawa pointed out that regardless of the assurances being given, the State government de-notified heritage buildings in the city by deleting Regulation 13.

Mr. V.K. Bawa, who was the first vice-chairman of the erstwhile Hyderabad Urban Development Corporation (HUDA), pointed out that Raymond’s Tomb, which is a protected site under the Department of Archaeology and Museum, collapsed under mysterious circumstances in the past. “We have to re-think now,” he remarked. In response to Mr. Bawa, Ms. Visalatchy said that the State government will soon come up with a new law, and that rules were being studies for that. However, city-based conservation architect G. Srinivas Murthy questioned the need to do away with Regulation 13 until it was replaced.

“We feel anguished. Why was there a hurry to remove the law? It is disturbing to see what kind of stand is being taken,” he added. When Ms. Visalatchy’s attention was drawn to the demolition of IAS Officers Association building, which was also a notified heritage building, in November by the State government, she did not respond. Prior to this, she had mentioned that her department is landscaping eight monuments in the city to conduct morning walks.

Similarly, on asking Mr. Taher about the continuous change in the golf course’s landscape in the Naya Qila’s premises in Golconda fort, he said that the ASI won’t compromise on anything, and that a ‘minimum intervention’ policy is being followed to save the Naya Qila, which is an extension of the Golconda Fort. Other civil society members also raised concerns about protecting other heritage monuments in Hyderabad

The officials questions were participating at the ‘Engaging Hyderabad with Conservation’ seminar here on Saturday during the discussion time. The event was conducted by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Aga Khan Foundation and the Quli Qutb Shah Urban Development Authority.

- The Hindu, December 13, 2015

Mushrooming constructions allowed by National Monument Authority (NMA) around protected sites of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI ) after imposing penalty have threatened many centrally protected sites across the state.

The ASI said the NMA doesn't have power to impose fine and recommend construction permissions. The issue snowballed into a major controversy at the national level when many ASI sites got affected after the NMA "recommended" constructions around protected monuments, ASI sources said. Details of conversation between authorities received under RTI Act revealed that on August 8 this year, director (monuments) of ASI, M Nambirajan, wrote to member secretary, NMA,

"The NMA or the competent authority have not been conferred any power for imposition of fine whether by way of penalty or other ways. The penalty provisions in section 30 of the AMASR Act are to be imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction." The matter was referred to the legal cell of ASI, said Nambirajan, adding "Summary imposition of penalty has not been provided for."

In Madhya Pradesh, unauthorised constructions started coming up near ASI sites at Khajuraho, Gwalior and Vidisha among others. The ASI Act imposes a blanket ban on all construction within 100 metres (prohibited zone) of any monument protected by the ASI and allows limited construction in the next 200 metres (regulated zone). According to documents procured under RTI Act from the office of regional director central region of the ASI,

the NMA recommended constructions in the neighbourhood of Chousath Yogini temple in Khajuraho after imposition of fine, near tomb of Tansen and two mosques in Gwalior, and near Ek Pathar Ki Bawadi in Gwalior. Constructions were also allowed near Amleshwer or Mamleshwer group of temples in Khandwa after imposing fine varying from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50, 000.

- The Times of India, December 13, 2015

The three-day 'Sri Ugratara Sanskritik Mahotsava' (cultural festival) begins at Mandan Dham, Mahishi, in Saharsa district on Monday. State tourism department, in collaboration with Saharsa district administration, has invited several scholars and noted stage artists to participate in the festival.

State tourism minister Anita Devi will inaugurate the function while the power minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav would be the chief guests. Minority welfare department minister Abdul Ghafoor and minister for disaster management department Chandrashekhar would be special guests on the occasion. The three day function has been organized at Rajkamal Krira Maidan (Rajkamal sports ground) at Mahishi in Saharsa district, 17 km away from Saharsa district HQs. The festival is brainchild of CM Nitish Kumar which has been continuing for the last four years.

A souvenir named Dharohar will be released on the occasion. It has contained research articles on Mithila culture and Indian philosophy by scholars of Maithili, Hindi and English. This year galaxy of artists from Mumbai and Mithila region including noted Bollywood singer Vinod Kumar Rathore will enthral the audience, said Amit Anand one of the main organisers of the festival.

Agriculture production commissioner Vijoy Prakash will inaugurate the seminar while T N Bindhyeshwari, Commissioner, Kosi division, and Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University VC Dev Narayan Jha will be the chief guests. Scholars like Devshankar Naveen and Manindra Nath Thakur (JNU), Pankaj K Mishra, Savita Jha Khan and Akshay K Choudhary (all from DU) will be main speakers at the two- day national seminar.

Mandan Dham is known for the ancient Ugra Tara temple believed to be a 'Shaktipeeth'. Legend has it that the right eye of Sati had fallen here. The temple has a 3ft high statue of Goddess Tara. Mahishi village takes pride in being the birthplace of legendary 8th century scholar and philosopher Pandit Mandan Mishra. He along with his wife Bharati made precious contributions to Indian philosophy. It is said that Mandan was the senior contemporary of Adi Shankaracharya.

Recent explorations made by the Archaeological Survey of India (Patna circle) has proved that this place has immense archaeological value. Directorate of archaeology, Bihar, had stressed the need for mapping the entire area to assess its historical importance, said an official.

- The Times of India, December 13, 2015

Twenty-five artists from across the country are working on huge canvasses spread either on floor or mounted on walls at the auditorium of the South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC). Most are award winners of tribal and folk paintings like the Warli, Madhubani, Pata Chitra and Pichwai. These paintings will be carried to New Delhi where they will be put up at the office of ministry of cultural affairs, located at the II, III and V floors of Shastri Bhavan.

"In November, at the National Cultural Festival organized by the ministry of culture in New Delhi, the ambience and art work of the courtyard created by SCZCC was much appreciated by the visiting public and the minister for culture Mahesh Sharma," says Piyush Kumar, the director of SCZCC. The minister requested that these traditional arts should also reflect in the office of the ministry which currently has no such aesthetic features. "Our centre, which represents five states, was asked to commission the artists from across the country to do this work," Kumar informs.

Panels (13ft x 6ft, 6ftx3ft and 33 inches squares) are being done by artists who have come from Bihar, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Odisha and districts of Maharashtra. "Artists from the states which have the tradition of wall painting have been commissioned for this work," says Gopal Betawar, programme officer for this project who is currently in Delhi supervising the job. "SCZCC has always had a very strong presence in the sphere of art. For the last 26 years, we have been holding a very prestigious art exhibition and also many workshops on traditional forms of paintings," says Betawar.

Masking the walls at the office premises in Delhi with jute panels, Betawar says he will mount paintings being made in Nagpur on these panels. "Jute masking helps to bring out the beauty, colours and intricacies of these traditional paintings better," he says and adds that with thousands of visitors walking into the premises of the ministry offices nearly everyday, these artists will get tremendous exposure and impetus. The artists in Nagpur are being paid 1,000 per day for their efforts.

Depicting the famous stories of Ramayan through intricate designs is Madhubani art expert Vijay Kumar Jha who has come from Mithila in Bihar. "We are painting the stories of Sita who was the daughter of King Janak, the ruler of Mithila. My mother Shanti Devi was a national awardee," he says. The art finds its origin in the traditions of 'Tulsi Vivaha' when in homes in Bihar people would paint the pictures of all their valuables during the festival as a sign of their prosperity, informs Jha.

Drawing free hand on the massive canvas along with his four companions is Santash Mahana from Bihar. "Pata Chitra are done on small pieces of cloth. On canvas drawing figures becomes difficult," he says showing scenes of Krishna Leela that he is painting. "This form is inspired by the sculptures of Konark, Lingraj and Jaganath Temple in Puri." Experimenting with new colours are the Warli artist Subha Nathu Suta and members of his family who hail from Palghar.

"Previously, rice flour and geru was used but now we are trying to bring in colours like deep green and charcoal black for more variety and variance," says Suta. For the team of four BFA students from Karnataka, reviving the near obsolete Mysore Traditional paintings is a mission. "We are doing it so that it gets a new lease," says Prakash Umage.

On a canvas of 14ftx6 ft, three artists from Udaipur in Rajasthan are creating scenes of Radha Krishna Leela. "We first draw Krishna and then depending upon the emotions that reflect on his face we proceed with the rest of the painting," says Asaram Meghwal. Pichwai are paintings one would find at the fabled Naathdwara temple where they form the back drop behind the deity.

- The Times of India, December 13, 2015

Twenty-first century town-planning must put nature at its heart.

Jawaharlal Nehru, in his famous “tryst with destiny” speech, referred to disasters and said, “Peace has been said to be indivisible; so is freedom, so is prosperity now and so also is disaster in this one world that can no longer be split into isolated fragments”. The recent Chennai floods and the resultant destruction relate to a common theme in the 21st century world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his radio broadcast,

linked the mayhem faced by Chennai and Tamil Nadu to the spiralling problem of climate change and global warming. At the climate change summit in Paris, the Chennai floods were cited as a reminder about the need to take urgent steps to address the problem and save the world from such recurring and impending disasters that arise out of excessive human activity and an unsustainable lifestyle.

It’s fascinating to note that the city of Paris faced flood-related devastation in 1910 and Mahatma Gandhi, spearheading the first satyagraha in South Africa, wrote an article called “Paris Havoc” on February 5, 1910 in Indian Opinion. Referring to the flooding of the river that washed away buildings and roads, Gandhiji wrote, “The people of Paris had built the city to last forever,” and sounded the cautionary note, “Nature has given a warning that even the whole of Paris may be destroyed.

” Gandhiji then observed that Parisians would not realise the futility of rebuilding palatial structures and said, “Engineers, in their conceit, will have more grandiose plans now and pour out money like water, forgetting and making others forget the deluge; such is the obsession of present-day civilisation.”

Gandhiji’s thoughts, articulated 105 years ago, are now being considered central to the remodelling of our lifestyle to ensure sustainable development. His prophetic words, “Understand Nature’s purposes and ponder over them; all your ostentatious ways will lead you nowhere,” sound like the well-thought-out propositions at the heart of a new world order based on a modest lifestyle, eschewing excessive consumption of energy and resources.

It’s heartening to note that PM Modi, in his Paris speech, stated that “Ultimately, for success, moderating our lifestyle is necessary, and possible, for a low carbon future”. The “Paris Havoc” of 1910, the Chennai havoc of 2015, and the Paris climate change summit, resoundingly teach the world that there’s no alternative to a simplification of lifestyle.

In the Chennai context, it can be said that our ambitious plan for smart cities needs to embrace the issue of reviving water bodies and the channels that used to act as passages for the excess flow beyond city limits. The predatory commercial instincts of real-estate ventures have converted water bodies and water passages to residential plots. The precedence given to commercial greed would obviously cause havoc.

It’s extremely important to have an architecture of town-planning in which nature’s scheme would be the central plank for growth and development. The alarming occurrence of natural disasters across the world is a warning that our modern civilisation is unsustainable. Thus, there’s an urgency to remodelling life. It was Gandhiji who wrote, “Multiplication of wants and desires is such a sin that I make bold to say that if Europeans do not remodel their life they would die of their own comforts”.

Gandhiji, in his thought-provoking article, provides a remedy for not only saving human civilisation but also the planet. The idea of smart cities — with pedestrian walking space, cycling tracks, robust public transport systems and facilities for rainwater harvesting — sounds good. Such smart cities need to have schemes for addressing disasters we are bound to face recurrently.

As early as August 1957, Nehru, in a letter to the chief ministers, wrote, “There is a certain interdependence between man and his environment and any upsetting factor may bring about harmful consequences”. We need to be mindful of such thoughts and translate them into action.

- The Indian Express, December 14, 2015

Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday asked all state governments to take immediate action against encroachments on water bodies. "We have to learn lessons from the floods in Chennai. I feel the time has come to take it on a war-footing and remove these encroachments, both public and private," he told reporters, after meeting chief minister J Jayalalithaa at the secretariat on Sunday.

After a 40-minute meeting with the chief minister, other ministers and senior officials, Naidu told reporters that the Centre was willing to "extend all support required in this hour of crisis" to the state.

Naidu said he had discussed the issue of encroachments on the Cooum and Buckingham Canal in Chennai with the chief minister. He added that this was not an issue only in Tamil Nadu, it was happening in Andhra Pradesh and other states as well.

"The reservoirs are shrinking, lakes are shrinking, rivers are shrinking," he said. To avoid future tragedies like the devastation caused by the recent floods in Chennai, water bodies have to be expanded, reservoirs and bunds should be strengthened, he said. Efforts should be made to maintain a 'green belt' of anywhere between 5 m and 30 m on riverbanks, to safeguard against flooding, he said.

On Sunday, Naidu visited flood-hit areas like Tambaram, Velachery, Ekkaduthangal and Kotturpuram here, and interacted with residents.

According to an official release, the chief minister asked the urban development ministry to provide a special package of 4,500 crore to take up restoration work in urban local bodies severely affected due to the recent rains.

Jayalalithaa drew his attention on the extensive damage caused to roads, drinking water, sewerage and stormwater drainage systems in flood-affected urban local bodies, the release said.

"The urban local bodies, including Chennai Corporation would require substantial assistance for restoration. Preliminary estimates of the requirement exceed 4,500 crore," Jayalalithaa was quoted as saying in the release.

Since the local bodies "cannot rely on their own source of tax revenue" to take up restoration work, she urged Naidu to grant the special package. Jayalalithaa pointed out that the slum dwellers living along the Adyar, Cooum and Buckingham Canal lost their homes and belongings in the floods, and are housed in relief centres. She informed Naidu about a special project to construct alternative housing for 50,000 families who lost their houses, requiring funding of Rs 5,000 crore.

The chief minister also requested Naidu for speedy approval of the Rs 3,770 crore Metrorail Phase-I project running from Washermanpet to Thiruvottiyur. In his response, the union minister said that the project was approved by the ministry of urban development and has been sent to the public investment board in the finance ministry for clearance, according to the release.

- The Times of India, December 14, 2015

The 12th South Asian Games will be held simultaneously in Guwahati and Shillong from February 6 to 16, 2016.

Tikhor, a rhino calf as a sharp, naughty, sporty, and modern boy, was on Sunday here declared as the mascot for the upcoming 12th South Asian Games that will be held simultaneously in Guwahati and Shillong from February 6 to 16, 2016. A Bhupen Hazarika song on the other hand has been chosen as the theme song of the event.

Unveiling the mascot Tikhor, along with the logo of the event – a flower with eight petals representing the eight participating nations – jointly with Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, union sports minister Sarbananda said Tikhor not only represented an energetic all-rounder, but would also focus on the natural heritage of the Northeast in the form of a rhino calf. “With traditional and sporty costumes, Tikhor would be playing all games and welcoming every new idea in sports,”he said. The highly endangered one-horned rhinoceros is also the state animal of Assam.

Tikhor incidentally is a popular character in Assamese folk literature, who figures in a story called “Tikhor aru Chutibai”immortalized by Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa, the doyen of modern Assamese literature in“Burhi Aair Sadhu” – the first collection of Assamese folk stories published more than 100 years ago. Tikhor, a naughty, energetic orphan boy, not only plays various pranks in the story, but by dint of his presence of mind also helps his sister Chutibai survive all odds including fighting a tiger that had plotted to eat them.

While Tikhor the rhino calf appears in a blue cap, red T-shirt, and blue shorts as the mascot of the 12th South Asian Games, it was another rhino called Rangman – a happy person with a smiling face picked up from a number of Bhupen Hazarika songs of the 1960 – that was the mascot for the 33rd National Games held here in 2007.

While the mascot, designed by Anant Khasbardar of Kolhapur, has been selected from among 450 entries by the organizing committee, the logo has been designed by Abhijeet Krishna of NIFT Patna. Sonowal also said that while about 4500 athletes and officials from eight nations were expected to participate in 23 different events during 10-day long Games, it would also promote Guwahati and Shillong – and with them the Northeastern region as a tourist destination in the seven other countries.

“The Northeastern region is a full of diversities and we need to strengthen these diversities by promoting unity and South Asian Games would be the right platform to promote unity among the South Asian countries,” Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said. Bhupen Hazarika song

Meanwhile, a Bhupen Hazarika song has been selected as the theme song for the 12th South Asian Games. Written way back in December 1995, the song – ‘Ei prithivi ekhan krirangan/krira hol shantir prangan’ (This world is a playground and sports is a symbol of peace) – is being translated into at least eight languages to represent the eight participating nations.

“Bhupen Hazarika was such a versatile lyricist and singer that he had composed a song befitting almost all kinds of human activities. While he wrote this song way back in 1995, it fits so well with the very spirit of the South Asian Games which also intends to promote peace and cooperation among the neighbourhood nations, that it appears as if he (Hazarika) had composed it specially for this occasion,” union sports minister Sonowal said. (ends)

- The Indian Express, December 14, 2015

Teams from over 50 DPS schools across the country with around 1500 dipsites participated in various events To highlighlight the importance of heritage and history, Delhi Public School (DPS) Noida organised the Annual Inter DPS National Heritage Festival - Itihaas Ke Jharoke Se - 2015, on Sunday under the aegis of the DPS Society.

Teams from over 50 DPS schools across the country with around 1,500 Dipsites participated in various events including Natya Manch (Folk Theatre of India), which is an inextricable part of the Indian culture and tradition; Kala Kriti (Art Installations), a two or three dimensional work of art depicting “Oneness Of Self And Environment” and Charno Ki Dhool (Display of traditional Indian Footwear).

The Inter DPS National Art Exhibition displaying paintings made by the budding young artists of Delhi Public Schools, further added vibrance to the show. The event also featured a colourful fancy dress competition wherein the tiny tots of DPS Noida from classes Nursery to II, captivated the audience with their adorable performance. The competitions were judged by a panel of eminent Jury, renowned in their respective fields.

Soumya Agarwal of DPS Noida impressed the judges with her exquisite work of art and bagged the first prize in the Painting Competition. While, DPS Greater Faridabad won the Natya Manch followed by DPS Ranchi and DPS Noida at II and III position respectively; DPS Noida and DPS Greater Noida were the proud winners of Charno Ki Dhool . DPS Bhopal emerged winners Kala Kriti with DPS Noida a close second.

Colourful stalls with food from all regions of the country and interesting rides and games were an added attraction enjoyed by the Parents and students of DPS Noida who thronged the venue in large numbers. Speaking on this occasion Chief Guest Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Tourism and Culture and Civil Aviation said, "The cultural diversity of India makes it unique in the world and hence, we as ambassadors should spread the culture in all parts of this world."

He lauded the efforts of students in putting up a highly impressive show that showcased our myriad Indian Culture in all its glory and richness and expressed his appreciation of such events that make the young generation cherish their heritage and revel on it. Chairman DPS Noida Pramod Grover congratulated the teams for their outstanding performance and expressed his desire to include all Delhi Public Schools in the world in such events.

According to the Principal DPS Noida Kamini Bhasin, the mega event, celebrated with all its traditional grandeur, was aimed at providing the students an invaluable opportunity to learn about the diverse aspects of Indian Heritage beyond classrooms through live presentations, tableaux, stalls, paintings, etc. She expressed pride that DPS Noida was hosting the heritage Festival for the fourth time in the event’s five year history.

The event was graced by many luminaries from Delhi Public School Society which included Director DPS Society, Renu Mittal, Members Managing Committee DPSN, Dr. Sandeep Gulati , Dr. Sudipta Ghosh and Veena Sirohi along with Principals of various DPS Schools.

- http://www.iamin.in/, December 14, 2015

An International photo exhibition titled ‘Splendours of Indian Architecture’, hosted by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), was inaugurated by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Satish Soni at Visakha Museum here Sunday.

The exhibition with 37 large format panels has photographs, sketches with text, depicting the Indian architecture over the last 2,500 years. One section includes India’s achievements in the first millennium, the pre-historic city, ancient cave architecture, forts and abandoned cities. other sections include Islamic encounters, India’s European encounter and encounter with modernisation.

“The exhibition will take the visitors into experiencing India’s unique cultural and architectural legacy,” said INTACH Vizag convener PV Prasad. The exhibition is open till December 20 from 11 am to 7 pm daily at Visakha Museum.

- The Indian Express, December 14, 2015

Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret designed furniture primarily for office use in new city they built, Chandigarh. The arm chairs and tables, designed in minimalist form by the two architects, were used as office furniture in the Civil Secretariat, Panjab University, Punjab and Haryana High Court, educational institutions and other institutions. They are still in use. But most of those who used it had little or no idea about the designers and if the furniture was broken, it would be swiftly dumped and replaced.

City residents realized the worth of this architectural heritage in the late nineties when news of auctions of Corbusier furniture in foreign countries at jaw-dropping rates made headlines. The The auctioned furniture had been smuggled out of Chandigarh by art agents and the UT administration could not stop the auctions.

"The value of heritage furniture of Chandigarh lies in the Brand Corbusier. Chairs, tables and other furniture designed by Corbusier and Jeanneret were used for decades without anyone realizing their worth. But once the same furniture started fetching lakhs at auctions abroad, city residents sat up and took notice for the first time," said Rajnish Wattas, former principal of Chandigarh College of Architecture and a heritage expert. The broken furniture has been lying either in locked rooms or dumped in the open in many offices without any security arrangements. According to a recent inventory made by the Chandigarh administration, there are more than 12,000 items associated with Corbusier and Jeanneret in the city, out of which 800 are broken.

According to Wattas, unlike the West, people here failed to appreciate the design and art of Corbusier and Jeanneret. "Furniture was integral to Corbusier's art. He believed that houses are machines to live in and should also have appropriate furniture. His outlook was revolutionary and so was his art work. But somehow it took time for the city to realize the value of his work," he said.

Ajay Jagga, a city-based lawyer who has been demanding investigation into the theft of furniture associated with Corbusier, Chandigarh administration should discuss the issue of the safety of Corbusier furniture with the visiting French President. "The issue of safeguarding the Corbusier's heritage can be discussed with the visiting French president. France and Chandigarh along with other countries where Corbusier designed buildings are contenders for UNESCO's heritage status and France can show us the way," he said.

- The Hindu, December 15, 2015

The city's population will grow by 50% in next 15 years. But is it ready to house these people? No. Not because of space constraints but due to the mental set up of not allowing change in the city design. That was conclusion of architecture students from Canada.

The 16 students who conducted a study on Chandigarh on this theme felt with the current mindset of preserving city's heritage status, the huge socio economic divide and more stress on cars, the city would not be able to accommodate the growing traffic and population.

In India for their internship in Chandigarh College of Architecture, these students from University of British Columbia proposed various designs that Chandigarh could experiment with in order to be 2030-ready. From smart market to street housing plans, they made designs to accommodate people from each and every sector and income group within the city.

In the city for last four months, the students were assigned one street each and made an architectural plan to develop that area in a way that it could accommodate more population while also portraying the mixed land use. They worked under their guide and faculty professor John Bass.

The major roadblock, the students said, in developing the city was the mindset of people about not experimenting with traditional design. "People do not want to touch anything. Preserving heritage is certainly an important aspect for a heritage city but the growing traffic and population cannot be ignored. Some of the heritage cites should be preserved while city must change with time," Christopher, a student said.

The students and their faculty believed that the city has a lot of space and scope to grow further But the socio-economic divide does not allow it. "Rehabilitation is good but we disagree with the point where it is done- in the periphery," students said.

"There is space if we are not rigid to preserve it and to use it only for the elite. In my project, I have utilized the mango orchards opposite Industrial Area to build small housing societies," said Jonathan Heinz, one of the students.

A common suggestion by all students was to bring high income and low income groups within the city. Many students suggested proposals of bringing both income groups close to each other to lower the divide be it in market place or in housing set up.

"We saw many rehabilitation colonies and spoke to many residents and we could not understand why they have been given a place outside Chandigarh when they are very much a part of Chandigarh. They have to travel a lot to come to their workplace be it Sector 26 market or Industrial Area. They can live where they work," said Ros Komnatskyy. He suggested bringing all income groups together in market streets.

As every student presented his proposal on Monday, which also marked the end of their assignment, the jury including experts and faculty discussed the projects in detail. Some of the students concluded that city was struggling to know what it wanted to become.

Some of the interesting suggestions by students were having industrial and educational institutes nearby for hands on experience. There were also those who suggested housing schemes for low income group or migrants close to industries where they work. Students also suggested underpasses, underground water usage, water harvesting, underground parking spaces, while using the current parking lots for construction, higher buildings, temporary housing societies, Expert view

Talking about the projects, Rajnish Wattas, one of the experts, said, "All the proposals have shown ways to introduce new ideas for smart city. The mixed land use suggestions are good and can be experimented within the formal grid of Chandigarh." These projects will be compiled together in a book

- The Times of India, December 15, 2015

Heritage Foods has won National Energy Conservation Awards 2015, both first and second prizes, in the dairy sector from the Union Power Ministry. The company has won the awards in the years 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014. The company’s processing units in Tirupati and Hyderabad are awarded the first and second prizes for effective energy conservation methods.

Heritage Foods is one of the fastest growing Private Sector Enterprises in India, with five-business divisions - Daily, Retail, Agri, Bakery and Renewable Energy under its flagship Company Heritage Foods. - See more at: http://money.livemint.com/news/company/news/heritage-foods-wins-national-energy-conservation-awards-2015-416139.aspx#sthash.TjQb9Y87.dpuf

- http://money.livemint.com/, December 16, 2015

A day after Lok Sabha was informed that 24 monuments, 11 of them in UP, have gone "missing", it has emerged that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has signed an MoU with ISRO to locate the untraceable monuments using satellite technology. In a written reply in Lok Sabha, culture minister Mahesh Sharma on Monday cited a 2013 CAG report which said 92 protected monuments were untraceable, adding, "At least 24 of them are still missing while others were found".

- The Times of India, December 16, 2015

Tourists and heritage lovers will soon be able to view the rare collections by private collectors. In a bid to showcase the city's rich heritage, the concept of 'home museums' is being introduced by citizens involved in heritage promotion. Those visiting the heritage sites will also be able to admire the priceless collections made by individuals living in different areas.

"We had showcased some home museums during the national heritage week that was celebrated in the city last month. People were taken to homes and shops that had unique collection of different items or paintings collected over a long period. The idea was an instant hit and we decided to make it a permanent affair," Jeetindrasinh Gaekwad, who has a collection of paintings and antique furniture at his home, told TOI.

Art curator, Chandrashekhar Patil, who has been making efforts to popularize home museums, said, "Usually people visit popular heritage buildings and structures during heritage walks. But there is a treasure of heritage owned by individuals and it often goes unexplored. The home museums will exhibit different kind of heritage and tell unique tales of the city," Patil said.

"We currently have five home museums and number is expected go up to 16 by next year. The museums will be kept open on special occasions for heritage lovers and tourists. Visiting time will be flexible as it will depend on the owner's convenience. People can simply call up the owners and walk in to see their collection," Patil added. District collector Avantika Singh has also said that the administration is planning to start a website for promoting heritage in the city and it will have details of home museums.

Heritage at home: Gautamraje Memorial Art Gallery has a collection of paintings including 12 replicas of Raja Ravi Verma Atul Shah has a collection of products that carried Gandhi's name for promotion

Manubhai Nirmal has a collection of unique lamps and 'toran' A collection of 450 unique water pots used in different eras by various culture at Mudita Shah's home Arun Majumdar's collection boasts of calendars dating back to early 20th century

- The Times of India, December 16, 2015

‘Stone of Luck’... he describes his latest work to be unveiled in Kozhikode on December 17. People also call it ‘Happiness Stone’ and ‘Money Stone’. Jacek Tylicki, born in Sopot, Poland, is settled in New York City and this is the third time he is coming to Kerala during his more than 14 visits to India. The sculpture he is going to unveil here is the fourth in the series, which he has already installed in Dublin, Poland and Goa, said Tylicki, who came to the town on Tuesday. His works are included in ‘Nature Art’ section.

“The stone is 1 cubic metre in size and belongs to the installation art. I want my works to communicate to the viewers, than simply lying idle somewhere. The ‘Stone of Luck’, as I would like to call it, has an engraving on it: ‘Give if You Can; Take if You Have To’ on it. Whenever I have placed this installation, people put money, food and other things into it. Some needy people also take from there. It regularly communicates with the people.

The stone taught me many things. There are kind-hearted people also around us. All are not greedy. When you drop in something, you are happy and when you take something also you are happy, because you are cared for,” Tylicki says.

The project is funded by Avigna.org, being run by Udaya Bhanu and Reshma, based in the town. The couple, who had been doing charity, accidentally met Tylicki, who does similar things through his artworks, online and invited him do his work in the city. The sculptor says he was surprised to see a city with so much of sculptures around.

“I expected such a sight in Mumbai, but never Kozhikode. It is amazing to see that a city has come up with a project like ‘City of Sculptures’. The nature of the people of a particular city will be reflected through their attitude towards my work. Some people might donate food. Some might drop some money.

Some will be keen to clean it up - neglect, opposition, movement, protest. It might take a hundred or thousand years to derive the meaning out of an illustration. I leave it for the people to conclude the meaning,” he says. His first visit to India was in 1976 and regularly travelling in and around the country, he says, ‘’I’m in love with India.’’ Tylicki works in the field of Land art, Installation and Site-specific art. His conceptual projects often raise social and environmental issues.

The stone is 1 cubic metre in size and belongs to the installation art. I want my works to communicate to the viewers, than simply lying idle somewhere lThe sculpture is the fourth in the series, which he has already installed in Dublin, Poland and Goa lPeople also call it ‘Happiness Stone’ and ‘Money Stone’

- The Indian Express, December 16, 2015

Archaeology focuses on the study of past human cultures through research of historical sites and artifacts, such as tools, skeletal remains and structural ruins. A bachelor's degree is considered the minimum educational requirement to begin a career in the field, but most archaeologists need an advanced degree and extensive field experience.

Master's and doctoral programs include regional or time period concentrations, and doctoral programs may require proficiency in more than one foreign language. Doctoral program applicants typically hold a master's degree in archaeology or a related field. Both master's and doctoral programs focus extensively on research. • Program levels: Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees in archaeology

• Program fields: Anthropology, philosophy, and science degree programs may contain archaeology specialisations. • Prerequisites: Undergraduate degrees require a high school diploma or equivalent. Master's degree programs require a bachelor's degree. Doctoral programs require similar submissions with a master's degree in a closely related field. • Other requirements: Final project, thesis, exam and/or dissertation. Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology

Bachelor's degree programs in archaeology hone students' skills in processing, analysis, computing, methods and theory related to archaeology. History, culture and art are also integrated into coursework. Many schools in the United States offer archaeology as a specialisation within anthropology.

Some schools may allow further concentration in small-scale or complex societies, heritage, or a particular geographic region. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and will have an advantage with good grades in geography and history courses. Students in a bachelor's program for archaeology or anthropology have plenty of research opportunities abroad to participate in fieldwork. Laboratory classes provide students with an opportunity to utilise methods of cleaning materials.

Some programs require an accompanying minor, such as biology, geoarchaeology or history. Students may also be required to become proficient in a foreign language in addition to core courses. In the second or third year of enrollment, students will concentrate more on archaeology. Some universities will call for students to complete a senior project to complete the degree. Some possible courses include:

• World cultures • History of anthropological theory • Paleoanthropology • Historical geology • Human evolution • Earth materials

Master's Degree in Archaeology Master's degree programs in archaeology allow students to specialise in a specific region or time period. Prospective students should apply to degree programs that are in line with their interests and professional goals. Advanced degree programs require applicants to submit a bachelor's degree, letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and scores from standardised tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Instruction in a master's degree program focuses on archaeological theory, methods of removal, practical field experience, analysis and laboratory techniques. A master's degree thesis is required in many programs. Some classes include laboratory or fieldwork components that afford students the opportunity to gain practical experience. Other classes focus on archaeological theory and methods of investigation. Some possible courses include:

• Archaeological laws and ethics • Managing cultural resources • Human osteology • Ethnographic research • Historic preservation • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Doctor of Philosophy in Archaeology Prospective doctoral applicants must have a master's degree in archaeology and submit standardised test scores (such as the Graduate Record Examination), letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae, a writing sample and a statement of purpose.

Students enrolled in a doctoral degree program focus on a particular facet of archaeological research, such as a specific culture or society or a particular facet of anthropology. Common emphasis areas include Renaissance art, Greek archaeology, historic preservation and Roman archaeology and art. Many anthropology and archaeology departments are closely connected, and they offer an opportunity to study overlapping areas of interest. Individuals work closely with scientific techniques, becoming proficient at analysing, dating and interpreting details.

Students should also be proficient in the language of the area they plan to study, and some programs require proficiency in at least two languages beyond the student's native language. For example, a student specialising in classical archaeology must be fluent in Latin and Greek. A comprehensive examination and a dissertation are required to complete the degree.

Some core courses in advanced archaeology are required before a student can focus on a particular facet of the field. Elective courses should provide additional information and background on a student's emphasis area. Some core archaeology courses may include:

• Classical Greek sculpture and painting • Architecture of Periclean Athens • Underwater archaeology • Problems in ancient architecture • Food-gathering societies • Civilisations Popular Career Options An undergraduate degree in archaeology opens up many career paths. Opportunities exist with governments, research organisations and museums. Some possible careers include: • Archaeological lab technician • Research archaeologist • Cultural resources specialist • Park ranger • Collections manager Many graduates of master's degree programs in archaeology enter into education or cultural resources management. Some possible careers include: • Archaeology instructor • Contract archaeologist • Archaeological field director • Egyptologist

Most archaeologists work in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in its exploration, excavation, epigraphy, pre-history and museum branches (for these jobs, the ASI diploma is a must). Headquartered in Delhi, ASI is involved in the exploration, excavation, conservation and maintenance of 3,600 centrally protected sites and monuments in India.

It is also involved in epigraphic research and chemical preservation of antiquarian remains and the organisation and maintenance of site museums. ASI also publishes site guides, brochures, catalogues, excavation reports and picture postcards. With divisions in every state,

ASI employs a large network of professionals both in the state archaeological departments as well as in the centre. Recruitment is through exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and state public service commissions. The pay scales are as per state/central government scales. A PhD in archaeology is necessary for the higher posts of superintendent of archaeology or senior archaeologist.

The ASI also employs those specialising in classical, ancient or medieval languages. Archaeologists also work in the historical department of the ministry of external affairs, in the Central Board of Film Censors, films division of the ministry of information and broadcasting, defence services, All India Handicrafts Board, ministry of education and with the departments of tourism, Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), National Archives of India, among others.

All said and done, a major chunk of openings are to be found in the government. Besides government organisations, there are various other heritage bodies like INTACH and some foreign universities and foundations that are involved in urban conservation or excavations in India that provide employment to archaeologists. Archaeologists can also seek funds to go abroad to join or conduct excavations in their sphere of specialisation.

They can also work as experts or consultants on media related projects like films or documentaries on archaeological sites and cultures. Private collectors and museums may also require their services. Where to study Archaeology in India?

At the postgraduate level, archaeology is offered at more than 25 universities across the country. In the north you can look at the following: Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, Red Fort Complex, New Delhi. Course: PG diploma in archaeology (two years) Eligibility: Master’s degree (ancient/medieval Indian history)/ (archaeology/anthropology /Indian classical language/ geology with knowledge of Pleistocene age; 55%). Stipend: is paid to unemployed students for the period of two years.

Barkatullah Vishwavidhyalaya, Bhopal (MP); Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (UP); Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (Haryana) The Delhi Institute of Heritage Research & Management (New Delhi); Course: Master’s in archaeology and heritage management (two years) Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (humanities/science).



- http://www.thehansindia.com/, December 17, 2015

Rajasthan government has approved a Rs 4.5 crore plan for the development and conservation of the mythical village of Kuldhara in Jaisalmer. The village is to be developed on PPP mode and work is expected to start soon. Spread on a lonely patch in the Thar desert, the ancient village was abandoned by the Paliwals about 200 years ago along with 84 other villages and is considered to be haunted.

The village is currently being looked after by the government and serves as a popular site for tourists, mainly foreigners. The ruins of the village have also served as a location for the shooting of many movies. Sources said that the government has approved Rs 4.5 crore to improve facilities for tourists coming to this area and to stop theft of ancient items from the spot.

Confirming the move, AEN of the state art and culture department, Mahendra Kumar Gupta, said proposal had been sent out to the state governemnt for improving tourist facilities and conservation of historical places, for which the government has given its approval. Plans include increasing the height of the boundary wall of the village as well as fencing it. A proper parking facility will also be developed for tourists at Kuldhara.

Toilets, along with a special road leading from the main gate to the village, are also being developed. Apart from this, beautification of the main gate is being done along with other conservation efforts. Gupta said that in future too, for conservation of the heritage village, the state government has decided to partner with private parties.

- The Times of India, December 18, 2015

Bittu Sahgal, Founder and Editor of Sanctuary Asia, announced the 16th Sanctuary Wildlife Awards winners' names at a press conference. The 'Sanctuary Wildlife Awards 2015' will be presented on Friday, December 18 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). The awardees are nominated by Sanctuary Asia readers and supporters from across the country.

Claude and Norma Alvares, founders of Goa Foundation, have been named for The Prestigious Lifetime Service Award. The Alvares' have adroitly shepherded Goa's environmental movement, mentored dozens of conservationists and have written books.

The Sanctuary Legend award will go to Ashok Kumar, Chairman Emeritus of Wildlife Trust of India, who is respected as one of the pioneers of the fight back against wildlife related crime in India. Anurag Kumar will be felicitated with the green teacher award. He is a Lucknow based wildlife protector. He has conceptualised a free nature education school for rural children.

Wind under the Wings Award winners are Jayan Menon (Malayala Manorama) and Anahita Mukherji (Times of India). Malayala Manorama chief reporter Jayan had uncovered a story about elephant poaching and ivory trade. Anahita's stories about the devastating impact of 1,50,000 metric tonnes of coal lying in Mumbai's eastern seafront have been recognised.

Young Naturalist Award winners are: Viral Joshi, a skilled naturalist who has recorded over 500 different Indian birds' calls and made them available without copyright on xeno-canto, a global birdsong online database. Sailaja Nayak, 25, who helped to fortify the little know corridor extending from Ranthambhore to Kuno. Virendra Singh Panwar, from Kolti village in the Garhwal Himalaya who works as a nature guide at Jabarkhet Nature Reserve. MMB

- http://www.mumbaimirror.com/, December 18, 2015

The Union cultural ministry plans to do away with deployment of CISF and other security agencies at ASI museums and monuments. Instead, it has decided to form its own "cultural force" which will be deployed at monuments.

In the initial phase, the special force will be deployed at museums and later at monuments. An IG-rank official will head this force and will directly report to the ministry. The force is expected to have around 7,000 personnel.

According to sources, the cultural ministry in 2012 had formed a committee for framing a security policy for monuments after a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court sought to know what the ministry was doing to safeguard monuments. Later, a directive was also passed. Even the parliamentary committee on culture has directed the ministry to look into this matter.

The committee was headed by the director general of National Museum as chairman and had chief of several museums across the country as members. However, no further action was taken in the matter till January 2015. The things started to move after the committee included Capt (rtd) Pran Ranjan Prasad, former chief security officer of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), as a co-opted member and gave him the responsibility to frame the guidelines. When contacted, Prasad said, "The comprehensive policy has been submitted by the committee to the ministry on September 29 for further action."

Prasad added that the aim of the policy is to deploy its own "cultural force" at monuments in place of CISF and other security personnel. The force would be given special training in taking care of monuments and saving them from vandalism. Earlier, the scope of the policy was limited to museums only, but later the ministry decided to include monuments too.

"It has been renamed from Rashtriya Sanghralaya Raksha Bal to Bharatiya Sanskriti Raksha Bal. It is a comprehensive policy and proposed to be implemented in three phases over a span of three years. In the first phase, RFID (radio frequency identification) tagging of museum objects, putting infrastructure in place among other things were recommended. Besides, a special focus on conducting security audit of all monuments to assess their special requirements was also given," Prasad said. The initial cost of setting up this force is estimated to be around Rs 27 crore.

Earlier this week, Union culture minister Mahesh Sharma informed the Lok Sabha about the government's decision. The minister said the committee has recommended measures to be taken towards securing cultural assets by physical deployment and with the help of tools and electronic gadgets, besides a special security force. At present the cultural assets are provided with security by regular watch and ward staff, home guards, CISF and private security guards, the minister added.

- The Times of India, December 18, 2015

Art and culture lovers in the city are in for a treat as the seventh edition of the two-day Gurgaon Haat festival will open on Sunday. This festival is being organised by NGO Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to promote culture and heritage in the city.

Artisans from various parts of the country will participate in the event which will have around 70 stalls. Over the two days, visitors will get a glimpse of artworks from across the country. The haat will be open from 11 am to 8 pm.

“The objective is to encourage artisans and give their work an exposure. Some of the artworks that will be showcased at the haat are phulkari from Punjab, chanderi from Madhya Pradesh, juttis and mooras from Haryana, metal craft from Rajasthan and hand-woven woollen shawls from Himachal Pradesh,” said Atul Dev, convener, INTACH, Gurgaon.

“We have also planned the eight edition of Gurgaon Haat in March next year,” he added. Apart from the two-day haat, INTACH is also planning to launch a ‘Clean Your Monument’ programme.

Under the campaign, heritage clubs of city schools will visit their adopted monuments and clean them. Around 40 schools in Gurgaon run heritage clubs. Some schools have adopted monuments in Gurgaon district and that they take care of them as part of ‘heritage education and adopt a monument programme, Dev said.

- The Hindustan Times, December 18, 2015

Eminent practitioners of art and culture today spoke on the role of culture in development at the 88th Annual General Meeting of FICCI. Shovna Narayan, 'Kathak' exponent said that art should be seen as a venture capital which helps in creation of uniqueness and identity for our country. Art also provides economic benefits in terms of generation of profits and boosting the tourism industry.

She stressed on the preservation of art & culture the need to take its advantage in the most economical manner. With respect to competition, she mentioned that we are competing with the West, but we should strive to become centres of excellence and become focal points to act as magnets.

Prof. Rajeev Lochan, Director, National Gallery of Modern Art, emphasised the need for creation of space for interaction and exposure for the art and culture. He said that there is a need to create a platform for art where it can be utilized for the economic development in an effective manner. Going ahead, he said that adequate avenues have to be created for the healthy evolution of art and culture in the nation. He also mentioned that the art and culture in the country could benefit from CSR activities of companies. He added that we should look beyond the physicality and develop an attitude to understand how our culture has evolved over the ages.

Ms Sharon Lowen, 'Odissi' dancer, said that art has played an important role in the national integration of India in the post-independence period. She said that art gives Indian citizens an edge and India has been able to maintain sense of identity and unity because of art. It is important to retain the uniqueness of this identity through promotion of art and culture. She mentioned that there is great difference between modernization and westernization and we should focus on sustaining and upscaling our richness to maintain its uniqueness instead of aping the West.

Paresh Maity, Painter, emphasized the need to patronize Indian art and culture as was done by the Maharajas and Kings over the years. He added that support is needed from the industry associations too. While every corner of the country has singers and musicians, he said there is a need to have a proper platform for them, for India to become the number one country in the world in terms of heritage. He said currently there is not enough encouragement and patronage which is why the arts are losing out. (ANI)

- http://www.sify.com/, December 19, 2015

Five rare wooden sculptural masks made in India-recently acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art-will be the highlighted works in the special exhibition Encountering Vishnu: The Lion Avatar in Indian Temple Drama, opening at the Met today, December 19. Worn by actors in dramatic plays that were presented during religious festivals in southern India, the masks represent a largely unrecorded category of late medieval devotional art from India.

The appearances of Vishnu in many guises, known as avatars, are most famously celebrated in his Ten Avatars (Dasavatar). In this exhibition, Vishnu's Narasimha (man-lion) appearance will be celebrated with several dramatic sculptural depictions. They all explore the theme of Vishnu in his man-lion form, revealing himself at the court of an evil king in response to the king's attempts to slay his own son for his unwavering devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu.

A frightful battle ensues in which Narasimha finally overcomes the protective magic that the evil King Hiranyanatakam surrounds himself with, and Narasimha disembowels the king. Order is thus restored to the universe.

This narrative is dramatically represented in sculptures and painting, and when staged it is given heightened drama by the wearing of these powerfully expressive masks. This temple drama, known as Hiranyanatakam, is still performed in the Kaveri delta region of Tamil Nadu, in villages around Thanjavur in southern India.

Along with the masks, the exhibition will present works in bronze, sandstone, and wood, as well as miniature paintings, lithographic devotional prints, and early photography, all of which illuminate the theme of Vishnu's divine appearances. Dating from the 6th to the 20th century, the 30 works will be drawn from the Met's collection, as well as private collections, and will include an extraordinary seated sandstoneNarasimha from the sixth or seventh century.

The exhibition is made possible by The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Foundation Fund. The exhibition will be organized by John Guy, Florence and Herbert Irving Curator of the Arts of South and Southeast Asia.

- http://www.broadwayworld.com/, December 19, 2015

A team of environmentalists from Coimbatore will visit biodiversity hotspots across India to spread awareness about road kills

Recently, a 47-year-old man was injured when his bike collided with a spotted deer at Hasanur Forest Range in Tamil Nadu. Environmentalist H. Byju who was at Hasanur captured the image on his camera. “The spotted deer was killed on the spot. But, the news was not highlighted in the public domain and it went unnoticed,” says R. Mohammed Saleem, founder of Environment Conservation Group (ECG).

Byju posted the image on Provide Animals safe Transit on Highways (PATH), an online forum on Facebook started by ECG. “We don’t have any data on road kills. Anyone can upload images and record information about road kills on PATH. There have been postings about road kills of Civet cat, Black-naped hare, Russell’s viper, spotted deer, Sand Boa, squirrel and mongoose from Bandipur, Mudumalai, Chinnar near Pollachi, Kotagiri and Anaikatti. From the giant elephants to the small reptiles, snakes, frogs…no animal is spared on the highway. We don’t care about the smaller animals but ecologically they are significant,” he says.

Recently, the ECG members were camping at Anaimalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) near Pollachi to celebrate International Day on awareness of vultures. Over a rainy afternoon at ATR, they decided that they needed to do more to stop road kills, and to go on an all-India road trip covering all biological hotspots to spread awareness on this issue.

“Starting with the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR) in the Western Ghats, we plan to cover the Indo-Myanmar region, and the Eastern-Himalayan region and several other wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks. During the journey, we will talk in schools and colleges, and also meet eminent wildlife personalities and conservationists like Bittu Sahgal of Sanctuary Asia,” says Saleem.

He will be accompanied by V. Saanthakumar, H. Byju, P. Velmurgan, and C.V. Prasath. From February 10, the team will cover 20,000 km covering Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park & Biosphere Reserve, Coringa NP, Simlipal NP, Sundarban NP & Biosphere reserve, Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Kaziranga NP, Norkek NP & Biosphere reserve, Hemis High Altitude National Park,Jim Corbett NP and more across 20 states in 40 days. They will also place signboards at vulnerable areas where animals cross.

“We have kept signboards from Mudumalai to Bandipur warning tourists about animal crossings. People keep zipping through the highways and animal corridors on superfast cars. This should change. We are not against development, but steps have to be taken to mitigate road kills,” says Saleem.

He mentions the canopy bridges built by Nature Conservation Foundation in Valparai as a good example. “The canopy bridges that connect tree tops allow for safe passage of arboreal animals such as Lion-Tailed Macaque (LTM). This helps to bring down the road kills of LTMs significantly. WWF has taken preventive steps at Mudumalai. We will study and share such examples during our visit,” he explains.

Saleem says over-bridges and underpasses at animal corridors will be a big help. “Most Western countries have adopted this method, as this doesn’t affect the speed of vehicles and also ensures a safe passage for animals. We have one of the largest road networks; we have to take precautions to save wildlife,” says Saleem. The trip is sponsored by HP Indigo, WULF, Sreevatsa and supported by Sanctuary Asia and NDTV To know more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ ECGPATH What can be done

Speed breakers and signboards at animal corridors Stop feeding animals on a highway Do not throw food packets on road. When animals come out looking for food, they become casualties

- The Hindu, December 19, 2015

A heritage building housing the isolation ward on the Kanyakumari Government Medical College Hospital (KGMCH) campus has been given a facelift, thanks to the initiative taken by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

R.S. Lal Mohan, Convenor of the Nagercoil Chapter of INTACH told The Hindu that the initiative was taken in association with the Green Club of KGMCH. Stating that the building located on the KGMCH campus was in a bad condition, he said the INTACH took steps for painting the walls, doors and windows. Hedge plants were also planted along the pathway leading to the isolation ward. Besides, patients in the isolation ward were given woollen sweaters by INTACH.

KGMCH Dean S. Vadivel Murugan, Co-convenor of INTACH Dr. Sumithra Raghuvaran were present during the distribution of sweaters, Dr. Lal Mohan said.

- The Hindu, December 20, 2015

A one day workshop was organised by the UNESCO Category 2 Centre on World Natural Heritage Management and Training for Asia and the Pacific Region, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and Forest Department (Wildlife Division), Government of Manipur at Keibul Lamjao National Park today, reports our correspondent. The workshop was organised to discuss possible steps to inscribe Keibul Lamjao National Park under UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

The programme was graced by Dr Sonali Ghosh, IFS Scientist, UNESCO Category 2 Centre, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, PN Prasad, Additional PCCF, Manipur, Dr SA Hussain, Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, L Lukhoi Singh, Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Government of Manipur, Shyam Singh, Conservator of Forest/Northern, Government of Manipur, N Dinesh Singh, member of 9-Thanga Zilla Parishad, L Joykumar Singh, DFO/Central Forest Division and Arun RS, DCF, Park & Sanctuary as presidium members.

During the programme, Dr Sonali Ghosh urged the people to submit suggestions or ideas regarding inclusion of Keibul Lamjao National Park on the list of UNESCO World Heritage.

- http://e-pao.net/, December 20, 2015

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is gearing up to bring more monuments in its kitty. While there is no such monument identified in the capital yet, ASI has brought three sites in Agra under the central protection Act and is working on some sites in Leh as well. Alongside this, sources in ASI said they were pushing hard to finish denotification of monuments that have been listed as 'missing' or 'untraceable'.

At least 12 such sites were known to be 'untraceable' in Delhi, but the culture ministry recently said that there were only 24 missing monuments in the nation, two of them in Delhi.

There are over 3,600 centrally-protected monuments in the country and conservationists for long have demanded that many more ancient monuments be declared ASI-protected to protect them from vandalism or threats of urbanisation.

The three new sites being brought under ASI's control are Mughal Garden viz Islam Khan, Haveli of Mughal Khan, Haveli of Azam Khan and haveli of Hoshdar Khan, Mauza Basai Mustkil. Apart from this, the haveli of Agah Khan and Hathi Khana are also coming under ASI's purview.

According to sources, the newly designated national monuments are located in the Taj corridor, between Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and a reason behind protecting these sites was to preserve this green belt.

"The final notification of these sites is expected to come in the gazette any day now. The focus is now on bringing some sites under Leh under purview. After that other places can be considered,'' said an official.

There are a list of monuments in Delhi that have been identified for central protection, but the list remains pending with the ministry. Meanwhile, ASI recently said there were 24 missing monuments in the country. ASI is working with ISRO to trace these sites.

- The Times of India, December 20, 2015

The historic twittens of Old Delhi will soon boast of a new tourist spot with the almost restored Haveli Dharampura, which might open its doors to visitors early next year. A few metres away from Jama Masjid, the haveli sits between Jain temple and New Digambar Jain temple. The area is named Dharampura owing to the presence of a large number of temples.

The restoration of the haveli, which is a coalescence of Mughal, Hindu and European styles of architecture, is being carried out by MP Vijay Goel and his son, Siddhant Goel. Historians point out that the three-storeyed haveli was constructed around 1887 AD when construction of havelis by nobles and courtiers was in vogue. They were designed for residential and commercial purposes, with shops on the ground floor and residential space on the remaining floors.

The haveli is essentially a load-bearing structure built with lakhori bricks. Its wooden joist ceiling had cleverly-designed arches for load distribution and, like other havelis of that time, had decorative features like stone brackets, balconies, jharokha, chauk, chajja, wooden doors and carved sandstone elements. "When we first saw the haveli, it was in a dilapidated condition and had lost most of its grandeur like the other havelis in Chandni Chowk.

There were many families living in it who had altered its original structure and created partitions," says Vijay Goel, who is also the president of Heritage India Foundation. Goel said the first task was to hold the building to retain the haveli's original structure. The restoration and conservation process began with help of architect, Kapil Aggarwal, and students of conservation from Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management.

"To keep the originality and exclusivity of this architectural marvel intact, raw materials were sourced from various parts of the country. For instance, the cast iron railings, replica of Shahjahani design were made in Jaipur, the entrance wooden door carved in Shekhawati, brass came from Moradabad and glasswork from Ferozabad. Around 50 specialist masons and labourers were hired to work on the exterior and intricate details. The restoration and conservation efforts took six years to come to fruition," says Goel.

Goel plans to make this structure a model haveli in the walled city which houses 500 havelis from Delhi sultanate, Mughal era and colonial times. Most of these havelis are owned privately and are situated in packed lanes of Sitaram Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Jama Masjid area. While some are in good condition, many are going to ruins because their owners have not been able to maintain them. The municipal bodies are trying to incentivise the owners of these havelis by giving them funding assistance for restoration.

The revival of the haveli is a bid to offer glimpses of the dying cultures of Old Delhi and give tourists a fresh outlook when it comes to Chandni Chowk area. The restored haveli will act as a culture-cum-heritage centre. There are plans to enthrall visitors with dance performances and culinary heritage native to Old Delhi. Visitors will also be able to stay in the haveli and experience life of Mughal times. The haveli will also act as a centre to provide professional assistance to other restorers.

- The Times of India, December 21, 2015

A dossier prepared by archaeological researcher Sachin Joshi could give the ASI a much-needed shot in the arm. The dossier has mapped 235 cannons from Chhatrapati Shivaji’s era.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the state cultural affairs ministry have time and again come under severe criticism over the poor condition of weapons and exhibits in forts across Maharashtra. Some of the cannons and artefacts have also been reported destroyed or missing. On December 16, The Indian Express had reported that a 60-kg cannon had gone missing from Padmadurga, a sea fort in Raigad district.

But all this might just change. A dossier prepared by archaeological researcher Sachin Joshi could give the ASI a much-needed shot in the arm. The dossier has mapped 235 cannons from Chhatrapati Shivaji’s era.

The study by Joshi, a researcher from the archaeology department of Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, and Dr P P Deshpande of the department of mellurgy and material science at the Government College of Engineering, Pune (CoEP), includes detailed metallurgical and technical analysis of the cannons. Joshi and Deshpande undertook the documentation and analysis of the cannons four years ago. Their project was funded by the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, and the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The duo also created 2D drawings and 3D models of the cannons they studied. While the reports, drawings and images of the 235 cannons have already been submitted, the researchers are now working on mapping cannons and weapons in other forts across the state.

“Apart from carrying out a detailed analysis of the engineering and technique used in making the cannons, we have taken their photographs too. Based on these, we prepared 2D drawings and 3D models and documented them so that they could be replicated later if needed, as only half the original number remains today. Hence, at some places, we have even marked their positions through GPS, so as to track them if they are displaced,” Joshi said.

Joshi said that there were a large number of cannons in the forts earlier as documented in old literature. “We found less than half the original number, as many of these cannons were destroyed by corrosion or visitors. People often throw the cannons off fort tops, collect the metal pieces and sell them.

Thus, we wanted to document what remains, so that even if some cannons are destroyed, they could be reproduced later,” he said. The metallurgical and technical studies undertaken by Deshpande included composition, metallographic and rust analysis. “It shed light on the possible manufacturing technology and engineering used in those times,” he said.

According to Joshi, the cannons weighed between 60 kg and 16,000 kg. Three types of forged-welded cannons were found at Kalal Bangadi, Chavari and Landa Kasam. Kalal Bangadi got its name as it is made up of rings. Bangadi in Marathi means bangles or a round ornament. “The three types of cannons documented were made through welding, casting and forging. It was not known till recently that medieval Indian blacksmiths had the knowledge of such futuristic engineering techniques,” Joshi said.

“The weapons were made of wrought iron. There is no specific recorded history proving this, but it is said that the largest cannon, Kalal Bangadi, 5.4 m in length and 14,000 kg in weight, was brought by the Peshwa’s army in 1735. Another Kalal Bangadi cannon found at Narnala fort at Akola district in Vidarbha region weighs 16,000 kg. These are muzzle-loading types, where gunpowder and projectile objects are loaded from the muzzle (the front end),” Deshpande added.

“Only 45 of the original 70-80 cannons are left at Padmadurga fort; 18 out of 30 in Rasalgad fort in Ratnagiri district; six out of 25 in Sinhagad; and 60 out of 200 in Murud Janjira fort. With the help of drawings, photographs, GPS positions and documents, it is possible to find out which cannons are missing,” Joshi further said. [email protected]

- The Indian express, December 21, 2015

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) along with Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (Mahagenco) are about to script history as they will become the first agencies in the country to use treated sewage to generate power. The sewage treatment plant (STP) is ready for commission and awaiting ministers to inaugurate it. Approved by the UPA government under JNNURM scheme, the project was to be inaugurated last week but the code of conduct for MLC polls prevented it.

"The project will be inaugurated in December last week or January first week," said mayor Pravin Datke. The NMC had invited union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Venkaiah Naidu, Uma Bharti and Piyush Goyal and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the inauguration. "Now we will again seek appointments of all the ministers," Datke said. Though delayed despite completion, the project is the first of its kind in the nation. Therefore, the NMC has planned to bring all ministers to showcase the project. The centre had approved the project at the cost of Rs 130.11 crore on December 2006. The project got delayed in the initial stage.

Mahagenco is coming up with Koradi thermal power expansion project with installed capacity of 1,980 MW comprising three supercritical units of 660 MW each. The power plants utilized raw drinking water to a great extent that otherwise can mitigate problems of drinking water in urban and rural areas along with conservation of water for irrigation purpose.

In 2008, Gadkari, along with the then state energy minister Ajit Pawar, came up with the concept and NMC and Mahagenco entered into an agreement. It was decided that NMC would install new technology STP and supply treated sewage to Mahagenco for running Koradi expansion project. Now, committee of chief ministers constituted by prime minister Narendra Modi has recommended to the centre to make it mandatory for thermal power stations to utilize treated sewage. The centre is about to launch the policy.

With supply of treated sewage to Mahagenco, the NMC will reduce pollution level in the city's iconic Nag river. Ultimately, it will also prevent pollution in Kanhan and Wainganga rivers followed by Gosikhurd irrigation project as Nag river flows into these water bodies. As an added benefit, NMC will earn revenue of Rs 15 crore per annum from Mahagenco for supply of treated sewage.

The STP's installed capacity is 130 million liters per day, also saving such huge quantum of raw drinking water. NMC superintending engineer Prakash Urade along with his team comprising executive engineer Shyam Chauhan, assistant engineer Rajesh Dupare etc planned the project and completed it.

The plant was supposed to be commissioned in December 2013 but got delayed. Project's cost escalated to Rs 190 crore and Mahagenco had to bear it. NMC and Mahagenco could complete the project despite fourth installment of Rs 22.76 crore pending with the centre for last two years.

- The Times of India, December 21, 2015

Volunteers of the Vivekanand environment awareness brigade of Keri-Sattari presented a street play to create environment awareness at a nature orientation camp organized by the extension and mural services of Goa University.

Girls students from various educational institutions from Bicholim and Sattari took part in the camp wherein a street play directed by Shubhada Chari created awareness pertaining to water harvesting, judicious use of drinking water, afforestation drive, effective management of garbage disposal, use of solar energy and other environmental issues.

Goa University, director of extension and mural services Ramrao Waugh inaugurated the camp. He said, "Today, there is need to create awareness regarding various environmental issues and by sensitizing students and youth, society can be transformed gradually in the direction of sustainable development and protection and conservation of biodiversity and ecology."

Goa University, research fellow Sharad Kambale, gave practical information on identifying indigenous species of trees within the Bondla wildlife sanctuary. During the nature trail, Subodh Naik, a geography teacher from Mapusa, provided tips for bird watching and urged campers to get involved in documenting the diversity of avifauna in their vicinity.

Range forest officer Gautam Salelkar who was the chief guest, said, "We have to change our attitude towards man and wildlife conflict. Increasing incidents of wildlife straying into agricultural and horticultural areas are a cause of worry and we have to plan our strategy in a scientific manner to solve the problem of wild animals by protecting their natural habitat."

- The Times of India, December 21, 2015

Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, Sikhism holiest shrine, Assam’s river island Majuli and Mughal Gardens in Srinagar are among 46 Indian sites on UNESCO’s tentative list for consideration for nomination as World Heritage Sites. 32 cultural and natural sites in India already figure in the World Heritage list, Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma told the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Monday.

“Moreover, there are 46 sites including Indian cities, monuments, archaeological sites, on UNESCO’s tentative list, which is a mandatory requirement before a site is finally considered for the nomination,” he added. The tentative list includes Temples at Bishnupur in West Bengal; Mattanchery Palace, Ernakulam in Kerala; Group of Monuments at Mandu in Madhya Pradesh; Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath,

Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh; Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar in Punjab; and River Island of Majuli in midstream of Brahmaputra River in Assam. The list also includes Mughal Gardens in Kashmir; Delhi — A Heritage City; Ekamra Kshetra - The Temple City in Bhubaneswar, Bahai House of Worship in New Delhi and Jaipur city of Rajasthan.

To another query, he said the two nomination proposals on cities -— ‘Delhi’s Imperial Capital Cities’ and ‘The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai’— were submitted to World Heritage Centre in January, 2014 in which Delhi was prioritized.

Before the 39th Session of World Heritage Committee in July 2015, however, the proposing State Party had requested UNESCO Secretariat for postponement of the consideration of the nomination of ‘Delhi’s Imperial Capital Cities’ The Culture Ministry filed Delhi’s nomination in 2012, but the final dossier, prepared by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), with which the Sheila Dikshit government had signed an MoU in 2008, was sent to UNESCO in January 2014.

The walled city of Shahjahanabad (the Red Fort in the area is already a UNESCO World Heritage Site on its own), and the Lutyens’s Bungalow Zone, were included.

But just a month before UNESCO was to review nominations from across the world, the government withdrew its bid. “Once the city comes into that heritage list, you are unable to make some construction in the city plans and land use plans, so it will become difficult,” Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma was then quoted as saying.

Delhi’s Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jantar Mantar, Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra, Western Ghats, monuments of Hampi and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus are among the UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites in the country. - PTI

- The Hindu, December 22, 2015

Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Martirosyan, has assured Archaeology Department of undertaking translation of epitaphs on the 20 graves

it was an emotional visit that connected him to some unknown countrymen, who were laid to rest here a few centuries ago. Neither they were his ancestors nor he ever learnt about their existence, but the emotion was pretty visible as he walked through the small cemetery.

Armen Martirosyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia precisely went through the bundle of emotions visiting the 17{+t}{+h}century Armenian Cemetery, now in almost a dilapidated state in Uppuguda, a part of the old city of Hyderabad. “I am moved after coming here. I feel nostalgic.

We need to restore the cemetery for the next generations to have a glimpse of the past,” Mr. Martirosyan said after spending nearly an hour in the cemetery. If his renovation plans fructify, Armenians visiting the city in the future will learn about their countrymen who inhabited Hyderabad nearly four centuries ago.

Mr. Armen Martirosyan visited the cemetery along with Rev. Fr. Zaven Yazichyan, Pastor Manager Indian –Armenian Spiritual Pastorate, Kolkatta and N.R. Visatatchy Director State Archaeology and Museums Department to take stock of its condition and determine what can be done to restore it.

In October this year, The Hindu carried a detailed report about the neglect of the cemetery following which the management of the Armenian Spiritual Pastorate, Kolkatta contacted the reporter. A visit of Monday’s delegation was a result of that report.

Officials of the Archaeology Department were enthused when Mr. Martirosyan assured them of undertaking translation of epitaphs on the 20 graves which include that of 19 Armenians and one Dutch trader. Archaeological excavation of the cemetery could be taken up before beautification. The visiting Armenian delegation said it would photograph all the graves and publish a book after gathering details about those laid to rest here.

“Generally, tourists coming to the India visit Agra, Kolkatta and Chennai for they know that there are few churches and cemeteries there. We will take up a campaign to highlight the cemetery at Hyderabad for our people to visit,” Mr Martirosyan explained.

Armenians came to India between 16th and 17th centuries as traders, travelling through Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet. “A large number of Armenians settled in Hyderabad during the 17th century. Though there are no written records of their activities, traditions and social conditions, the Armenian epitaphs acknowledge their presence,” M.A. Qayyum, former Deputy Director Archaeology and Museums said.

The graves of two priests Rev. Johannes, who died in 1680, and Rev. Margar, who died in 1724, are also here. “A team of archaeologist soon will take up excavation at the site. There is a proposal to develop a small garden and appoint guards for security,” N.R. Visatatchy, Director State Archaeology and Museums Department. Armenians came to India between 16th and 17th centuries as traders, travelling through Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet

- The Hindu, December 22, 2015

Around 90% of CO2 emissions are caused by land-use change or deforestation, mostly driven by population growth and agricultural expansion While the definition of forest remains ambiguous, felling continues to be a major contributor to climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, around 90% of the carbon dioxide emissions are caused by land-use change or deforestation, mostly driven by population growth and agricultural expansion.

In December, two scientific publications showed the extent of forest cover in India. A study published in Biodiversity and Conservation, an international journal, shows a net loss of 243,447 sq. km (28%) in eight decades.

According to the Forest Survey of India’s (FSI) biennial report for 2015, India’s forest cover increased from 640,819 sq km (64.08 Mha) in 1987 to 701,673 sq km (70.17 Mha). The FSI report does not make any distinction between the origins of forest. It includes all land with a tree canopy density of 10% and above and a minimum mapping unit of one hectare.

A forest is defined as land spanning more than 1 ha, dominated with native tree species having a minimum stand height of 5 m with an over storey canopy cover greater than 10% in the study published in Biodiversity and Conservation, Springer.

- http://www.livemint.com/, December 22, 2015

The country’s first of its kind interactive and experimental music museum-Indian Music Experience- will be thrown open for visitors here in JP?Nagar next year.

Speaking to mediapersons in the City on Tuesday, Manasi Prasad, Project Director, Indian Music Experience (IME) said that not only can people learn about various genres of music at the museum but also play different musical instruments. The project is an initiative of the Indian Music Trust and Brigade Group and is being set up at the cost of Rs 41 crore.

The museum is India's first interactive and experimental music museum and is being set up with a vision to increase understanding and appreciation for Indian music, both traditional and contemporary. This type of museum is the first of its kind in India, however, there are many such museums around the world, including the popular Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Three arcades There will be three arcades in the museum: A multimedia gallery, a sound garden and a learning centre.

The multimedia walk through gallery is an exhibit where stories of different genres of Indian music will be told through storyboard panels, mini theatres and basic interactive installations. Here, people can see musical instruments on display, archive photographs, audio-visual recordings and even experiment with music.

The second room will be a sound garden with an open path set up with musical sculptures such as large wind chimes and gongs. The third section is the learning centre with classrooms, seminar halls and a library, Manasi said. Music classes She added that the third section has already been thrown open and has been functioning since the last two months.

“Many children attend music classes here. Exhibits are being prepared and we have sourced around 500 rare photographs. We are also documenting the history of various recordings. At the museum, people will have the opportunity to play instruments,” she said. There will also be a studio set up in the museum where visitors can create their own music like a recording artist and carry it back home.

- The Deccan Herald, December 23, 2015

The officials from Telangana Forest Department, Telangana State Biodiversity Board and organisations working for the welfare of animals urged State Government to ban use of Chinese Manja during the upcoming kite flying season in Sankranti. Kite flying season in Hyderabad takes a huge toll on birds, especially on pigeons, that often get trapped or sometimes their wings get cut after coming in contact with the Nylon Manja thread. It’s quite common to see pigeons and other small birds getting caught in the left over threads on trees, rooftops and electric poles.

There is no concerted effort to remove the threads, which invariably claim the life of the birds. The departments have already written letters to the State Government to ban the use of Chinese Manja in Hyderabad.

The Forest department has also launched a tip line number (1888-425-5364) to enable public to report incidents of birds getting trapped or injured by Kite thread, laced with Manja. According to anima lovers, the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have already banned sale and use of Chinese Manja under the provisions of Environment Protection Act, 1986.

“The Telangana government should impose a similar ban on Manja, which is lethal, toxic and non-biodegradable in the interest of birds and the environment at large. With collective efforts from authorities, we are hoping that in the coming Sankranti, no birds will be injured. We urge public not use Chinese Manja and celebrate a cruelty-free Sankranti,” said wildlife campaign manager for Humane Society International, India, Hyderabad chapter, C. Samyukta. Dangerous

Volunteers from HSI pointed out that even the Kite merchants in Old city are keen to see ban on sale of Chinese Manja to come into effect in Telangana because in a way it has affected the livelihoods of large number of local Manja makers who work on cotton thread. “Cotton Manja is not as dangerous as Manja done on Nylon. Compared to cotton, Nylon is sharper and birds get deep wounds when they come in contact,” volunteers explained.

Recently, Forest officials, Blue Cross Hyderabad and People for Animals had conducted awareness drives to make public aware on the ill-effects of Chinese Mans in Charminar and Dhulpet areas, the wholesale markets of products related to kites.

- The Hindu, December 23, 2015

or more than a dozen schoolchildren, the week began on an impressive note as they got a guided tour of the mayoral residence at Shivaji Park in Dadar on Monday. The visit to Mumbai mayor's bungalow was part of The Times of India's Mumbai for Kids initiative.

At 11am, 12 selected children, along with their parents, from various schools across the city visited the bungalow. They were welcomed by mayor Snehal Ambekar, who explained the various aspects of the heritage structure. The 80-year-old, sea-facing bungalow is listed as a Grade 2A structure in the heritage list. The arches within the bungalow are made of Porbandar sandstone and the rest of the structure is made of Malad stone. The additions done to the structure have tinges of natural wood to them. The interior artefacts of this heritage structure highlight a history of its own.

A municipal architect and official from the BMC's education department were present to answer the children's queries. Apart from speaking about the grandeur of the structure and its legacy, Ambekar, who also plays a crucial role in the BMC, was seen explaining to the children the day-to-day functions of one of the country's richest civic administration. "The BMC is actively involved in providing citizens basic services from water to electricity to civic hospitals to schools. Many times, people from outside Mumbai too are seen coming to civic-run hospitals here to seek health treatments. In civic schools, we provide 27 essential items for children," said Ambekar. The mayor individually interacted with the kids, asking them their names, the schools they study at and their ambitions in life.

The students were taken around the 4.5-acre plot of the structure. But the only thing most kids could not take their eyes off were the sprawling lawns facing the sea with an uninterrupted view of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The mayor patiently explained to the children the composting process which she has started within the premises. The parents of the kids were also allowed to tour the bungalow premises. "The heritage structure is extremely beautiful. The mayor explained to us several facets about her official residence. It was a great experience," said one of the students.

- The Times of India, December 23, 2015

A grampanchayat in Kerala has become a model for many states and has also received the Prime Minister's award for best public administration. E-governance, mini drinking water projects, rain water harvesting, village knowledge centre and effective waste management are some of the successful projects initiated by the model grampanchayat of Eraviperoor in Kerala. Spearheaded by the then sarpanch N Rajiv about five years back, the village has focused on dealing with plastic waste. Rajiv, Vice President of Eraviperoor Grampanchayat, said, "These activities have been going on for 365 days. The collection of plastic has been going on.

The shredded plastic from December to March is being sent to the public works of the panchayat and is then used for road tarring. Some sort of plastic is being sold to small scale industries for manufacturing tarpaulin, plastic rope. It is a unique activity because it can be replicated elsewhere in any metropolitan cities in India where the plastic waste is a big problem. In our panchayat it is not a major problem but then also we are taking the initiative so that it won't be a problem in future."

A committee of the elders in the village guide the activities at the village knowledge centre. Retired teachers, headmasters and engineers have come together to train school children for civil services. The Jagratha Samiti consisting of representatives from the panchayat and from police and legal background also meet every first Friday of the month to take up complaints of women and children. Around 209 of the 215 complaints that it received have been solved.

Shanthamma, a resident, said, "My husband used to create problems at home daily after getting drunk. My son was in class 10 and there was no way he could study. I gave a complaint to this Jagratha Samithi, we were called thrice and my husband never created issues after that. He got scared when they said in next step the complaint will be forwarded to police station. For my life this was a new beginning. I am very happy now. We are having a happy and peaceful life. There is food to eat. I am so thankful to this committee."

The village also boasts of having an ISO certified Primary Health Centre - the first in Kerala. The PHC provides ayurvedic and homeopatheic treatment with patients from neighbouring panchayats and municipalities also regularly visiting it. The pain and palliative care unit in the PHC tends to about 100 patients every month.

Another villager Sunil Kumar said, "There are a lot of changes from earlier. Now there are three new doctors. Doctors will go to the houses and visit the bedridden patients which is of great help. For the elderly this ayurveda becomes very helpful. The facilities have improved a lot and this will continue to be better." Boosting about the Digital India initiative, the panchayat has free WiFi. The only challenge before the administration is to sustain these ambitious activities.

Getting the Prime Minsiter's award was only the beginning for the Eraviperoor grampanchayat. ISO certified primary health centre, free WiFi facility, a fully equipped modern slaughter house are added to the list. The panchayat authorities aim is to sustain these development projects so that people can avail maximum benefits.

- http://www.ibnlive.com/, December 23, 2015

Amin Jaffer, Christie’s International Director of Asian Art, discusses art valuation and the rise of contemporary Indian art in the global market uite fittingly, it’s an almost sepia-toned day when I meet Amin Jaffer to discuss art and antiquities. Dr Jaffer was in Mumbai recently to oversee the Christie’s auction “The India Sale”, earlier this month. He is the International Director of Asian Art at Christie’s, the English art auction house that was established way back in 1766. Jaffer’s love for India’s artistic heritage runs deep as is evident by his quips, “I was born in central Africa, but as I am ethnically Indian, I’ve always been fascinated by the country’s art, culture and history.”

He’s been with Christie’s since 2007, and has been responsible for developing the auction house’s business among Indian clients, both at home and around the world. So for Jaffer, it’s not just about selling art but also a matter of spotting new buyers, and encouraging people to collect and perhaps part with their family heirlooms. The recent “India Sale” has managed to raise a whopping Rs 97,69,90,000. What made headlines of course, was the artwork, ‘Untitled’ by Vasudeo S Gaitonde that was originally estimated at Rs 12-15 crore but which sold for a staggering Rs 29,30,25,000 at the auction. The valuation of art

So how does one value art; that intangible work of someone’s imagination? “If somebody comes to us with a Gaitonde of a certain size, the first thing we will do is to look at our auction records and those of other houses over the last 24 months to see how this artist has performed,” says Jaffer. “Then we look at variables like quality, rarity, condition and provenance: has it had a list of illustrious owners? Has it been exhibited? Has it been written about and published? All these factors establish value.”

Jaffer’s favourite part of the job is meeting potential buyers, guiding them through the process of collecting art and giving them information about the artist and the artworks. “It is a wonderful thing to find a story behind a piece of art, like the one about Ram Kumar’s double-sided painting, ‘Mazes of Mind’,” he says. “Kumar was unable to afford a fresh canvas to paint on so he decided to paint behind the first one. The second one is titled ‘Street Urchins’.” The owner (who wishes to remain anonymous) discovered the reverse work in the mid-90s. Both, however, remained unsold at the recent auction.

There’s also the matter of hidden-away pieces that suddenly turn up at auctions despite belonging to private collections with families and corporate houses. “When we do auctions, there is always a preview period where the works of art are displayed and open to the public,” explains Jaffer. “This is a great time for people to come up close to great works of art. Also, if an art piece is part of a private collection for years, the value of such an artwork rises because of its rarity.”

When it comes to the nature and state of Indian art, Jaffer is very opinionated. “We are in a wonderful moment with Indian art. In the last two years, we have seen a surge,” he says. “The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi has changed everything. We have the Kochi-Muziris Biennale coming into its third edition and it’s taking contemporary Indian art practice to a new level. We have seen the Gujral Foundation funding a magnificent India-Pakistan project at the Venice Biennale. The Tate has opened a South-Asian acquisition committee, the MET has a South-Asian curator... as a result, we are seeing Indian artists being recognised at the greatest platforms in the world.”

Jaffer continues to talk on what is obviously a passionate subject for him. “We are seeing now, more than ever, leading institutions of the world recognising the value and quality of Indian artists and showcasing them.” Another example is the upcoming exhibition of Nasreen Mohamedi’s (207) works at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in March next year.

The show, which includes drawings, photographs, paintings and collages, is being talked about as the first comprehensive exhibition of an Indian artist outside the country. “The Kiran Nadar Museum’s showcasing of Nasreen Mohamedi’s works first went to Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (in Spain) and is now going onto the Metropolitan Museum of Art (in New York).” In the upcoming months, Jaffer and his team are working hard to develop an auction that will take place in New York in March 2016.

Titled, ‘Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art’, the event will feature paintings, sculpture and textiles from the Himalayas, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. Is he hoping to break records there too? “That’s always the hope.” It’s not just about selling art but also a matter of spotting new buyers

- The Hindu, December 23, 2015

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Tuesday morning paid obeisance at Aasar-e-ShariefHazratbal and reviewed the arrangements being made in connection with Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). He visited the shrine premises and passed several instructions to upgrade the facilities at the most-revered shrine of Kashmir valley.

The Chief Minister also participated in the congregational dua and prayed for peace and prosperity of J&K state. Member Parliament Mehbooba Mufti, Minister for Public Works Syed Mohammad AltafBukhari and several other leaders and officers accompanied the Chief Minister.

Mufti Sayeed also carried out an extensive tour of downtown Srinagar which included localities on the periphery of the historic Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta and the revered shrines of Khanqah-e-Muala, Hazrat Bilal Rumi (RA) and Tomb of Gani Kashmiri at RajouriKadal, Imam Bara at Zadibal, Eidgah, Sports Stadia at RajouriKadal and Rudpora, Sangarmal City Centre and BasantBaghGhat to make assessment of the status of ongoing works.

During his visit of DargahHazratbal, Mufti Sayeed gave instructions for obtaining professional services for conceptualising the work befitting the majesty and grandeur of the interiors of Hujra-e-Khaas (Sanctum Sanctorum), on the pattern of Khanqah-e-Moula. He also issued instructions for developing the lakefront on the backside of the Dargah so that it is made attractive for the visitors.

Director Tourism, Kashmir, briefed the Chief Minister about the proposed project regarding construction of a dormitory and washrooms (wudukhanas) at a cost of Rs.1.60 crore. The proposed structure will have 42 wudukhanas (Ablution Centres) in the ground floor with separate facilities for women.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the facilities for the devotees who will throng DargahHazratbal in large numbers during the intervening night of December 23/24 on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). He was informed that all arrangements necessary, related to the availability of transport, uninterrupted power and drinking water supply, sanitation and medical facilities have been made.

Mufti Sayeed enjoined upon the Traffic Police Department to make fool-proof plan for devotees and also directed SMC Commissioner to ensure proper sanitation in and around the shrine premises. Chief Engineer, Electric Maintenance Kashmir, was tasked to install diesel generator sets to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

At Zadibal, the Chief Minister passed instructions for working out modalities for paying compensation to the families whose house properties and structures have been acquired for facilitating the expansion of Imam Bara, which is being executed by R&B Department. The Project has been conceived at a cost of Rs.11.97 crore, out of which Rs.9.49 crore have been earmarked for payment of compensation for acquired structures. The Chief Minister during his earlier visit to Zadibal had ordered expansion of the Imam Bara.

On his arrival at Eidgah, the Chief Minister was briefed about the development of the Park by the Floriculture Department at a cost of Rs.1.08 crore. He was told that the project will be completed by the end of March next year.

Describing beautification of Chattabal Weir as revival of Kashmir’s unique heritage, Mufti Sayeed directed the Chief Engineer I&FC, Kashmir, to develop the riverbanks which will improve the ambience of the place. He also issued instructions for landscaping the parks maintained by I&FC running all along the river banks to make the these attractive for the visitors.

It was given out that the Tourism Department, through INTACH, (Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage), J&K Chapter, has conceived a plan for creating a cultural centre with Khanqah-e-Moula as hub, envisaging setting up of a craft centre, traditional food courts and uniform façade of the surrounding heritage structures, which have already been mapped. Upon his arrival at RajouriKadal, the Chief Minister first paid obeisance at the shrine of Hazrat Bilal Rumi (RA) and later offered Fetaha at the adjoining tomb of famous poet Gani Kashmiri. He gave on-spot instructions for sprucing up the premises by developing a park and providing a proper drainage system.

As a follow-up to his instructions during earlier tour, the Chief Minister visited Gani Stadium at RajouriKadal as well Rudpora Stadium. To make the two stadia centre for sports-related activities, he suggested inclusion of local representatives in the committees responsible for organizing the sporting itineraries. At Rudpora, the Chief Minister also passed directions for construction of marriage hall on the available land adjacent to the Radpora Stadium.

The Chief Minister also laid foundation of two-storied Community Hall at otherwise hugely-congested locality in the periphery of the historic Jama Masjid, which shall be constructed at a cost of Rs.5.69 crore, including Rs.3.58 crore earmarked for acquisition of structures. The construction of Community Hall in this locality would provide much-need relief to the people living around this area as it will facilitate holding of marriage functions and other social events.

After his arrival at Khanqah-e-Moula, the Chief Minister was briefed about the acquisition of structures in Phase I for expansion of the shrine premises. He directed the Floriculture Department to landscape the existing park and other areas within the shrine precincts.

Director Tourism, Kashmir, briefed the Chief Minister about the ongoing works of face-lifting being executed by the Department, which includes painting and restoration of papiermachie work on the exteriors of the structure, for which INTACH, J&K Chapter, has been engaged as Consultant.

At Sangarmal City Centre, the VC SDA briefed the Chief Minister about the proposed multiplex on the land recently transferred to it from the Estates Department. It was given out that the complex will have a children’s park, a banquet hall, food courts and underground parking. He desired that the provision for parking should be substantially augmented and till such time the execution is given a head-start, the work on the landscaping should immediately commence.

The Chief Minister also desired that the construction of the proposed hotel block should be taken up in PPP mode. Later, at BasantBagh, the Chief Minister instructed that the development of park along the Ghat should be assigned to the Floriculture Department.

- http://www.greaterkashmir.com/, December 23, 2015

- Proposals to set up Lalit Kala Akademi & EZCC, sites ready

Ranchi may soon have two reputable cultural organisations, a state Lalit Kala Akademi on the lines of the autonomous organisation under Government of India headquartered in New Delhi and a sub-centre of the Calcutta-headquartered Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), to give artists, artistes and artisans wider scope and exposure.

For both, talks are underway while state art and culture department officials maintain they have sites ready. If all goes well, the state Lalit Kala Akademi would come up at the sprawling new Dr Ram Dayal Munda Rajkiya Kala Bhavan premises in Hotwar, which officials have said lies mostly vacant through the year, while the proposed EZCC sub-centre would come up at the old Kala Bhavan premises at centrally located Morabadi.

State art and culture director Anil Kumar Singh said they had kept aside initial funds of around Rs 40 lakh for the proposed state Lalit Kala Akademi.

"We are currently giving final touches to the proposal after which it will be sent for cabinet nod. The department's minister Amar Kumar Bauri has already given his consent after which we began working on the proposal on a priority basis," Singh said. Asked if a deadline has been set for this, Singh didn't specific a timeframe but maintained if all goes well, they should be able to kick it off within this financial year.

"The state government can set up a Lalit Kala Akademi on its own, which Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and some other states have already so. According to the Lalit Kala Akademi proposal for Jharkhand in Hotwar here, we are primarily eyeing three disciplines, that is, theatre, fine arts and performing arts. Once the Akademi starts functioning, a few disciplines related to tribal literature and languages will also be added," the art and culture director said. On the setting up the sub-centre of EZCC, an outfit under Union ministry of culture, Singh said state art and culture director's office received a letter on Tuesday from the Calcutta organisation.

"We had few rounds of talks with EZCC officials wherein we requested them to consider setting up their sub-centre in Ranchi. Today (Tuesday), I received a formal letter from them in which they have agreed, in principle, to do so. They have asked us to send a detailed proposal, which we will try to send in two-three weeks," said Singh. He added that the Morabadi structure would be ideal for a sub-centre of the EZCC.

"We are considering the existing two-storey building of the old Kala Bhavan campus located in Morabadi, which is centrally located and has sufficient space to accommodate offices related to EZCC, and a small auditorium as well. We will offer them this space."

On the Hotwar site proposed for the Lalit Kala Akademi, he said: "The sprawling new Kala Bhavan campus is mostly unoccupied, except on weekends when cultural galas such as Shani Parab take place. It seems ideal for to host the state Lalit Kala Akademi." Another official of art and culture department claimed the plan to set up dormitory and hostel facilities were also in the offing at Kala Bhavan premises in Hotwar.

"About a dozen dormitories and a hostel to accommodate 80-100 people are in the offing. Ranchi district administration will execute the project for which we will transfer funds after the finalisation of tendering process," he said.

- The Telegraph, December 23, 2015

To increase footfall to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum here, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has decided to beautify the approach road to the museum and develop a park adjacent to it. "The park will be constructed at a cost of 50 lakh and the tourism department has already sanctioned funds for it. We have invited agencies to submit detailed project report (DPR) on the proposed park," said CMC commissioner Gyana Ranjan Das.

The civic body plans to start the project by January. "We will pick the best among the agencies after seeing their presentations," he said. The park will be constructed at the entrance to the museum. Besides developing a green cover, the CMC plans to lay a walking track in the park. "Our priority is to construct an attractive park equipped with all facilities to ensure better inflow of tourists to the museum," said a CMC official.

Due the poorly developed periphery, tourists avoid visiting the museum in the evening hours. "The approach road to the museum from Dargha Bazaar side is not properly lighted. A nearby open field has turned into a safe haven for anti-socials. Due to such an unsafe ambience, the light and sound show, which was started in 2013, in the evening has become a big flop," said an official of the museum.

Latest Comment I went past the Netaji Museum this morning & was quite upset to see the approach road from Dargha Bazar side into th... Read MoreB Mohanti

Denizens and museum staff are hopeful that the proposed park will help to improve things at the museum. "The park will definitely enhance beauty of the museum and will attract tourists also," said Bhaskar Das, a retired bank officer residing near the museum.

The state government, which is well aware of the existing problems, had drawn up an ambitious plan to beautify the periphery areas of the museum in 2011. But even after four years, the Rs 3.24-crore project is yet to take off. The project included landscaping of the the historic Ganga Mandir pond near the museum and construction of an auditorium, recreational zone, lavatories, cafeteria in the area.

- The Times of India, December 24, 2015

It took Anju Modi a year-and-a-half just to research and compile notes on the Marathas before she sat down to design the outfits for the film Bajirao Mastani. She had worked with the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali before. He did not do things by halves. Attention to detail was his hallmark. For Goliyon ki Rasleela – Ram Leela Anju Modi had painted Deepika Padukone in the mesmerzing colors of Rajasthan . For Bajirao Mastani she was designing clothes for all three leads: Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone.

The designer spent many months travelling across Maharastra, the seat of power of the noted Peshwa."I also spent time studying available materials and miniature paintings in the Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad. The Nizams and the Peshwas belonged to the same period and it gave me interesting insights to help create the look,” said the designer to Indian Express. The clothes must reflect the grandiose of that period in history.

Then she did her own take on history by molding it to flattering silhouttes. As the actresses slinged and swung like bouncing springs in the Pinga song the audience's eyes followed the navvari saris with entranced eyes. The designer had reduced the bulk of the sari by having the 9 yards woven in light silk. She had included light Chanderis, Maheshwaris and mul-mul fabrics in her ensembles. The ensembles also crossed gender barriers.

Anju Modi crossed the line of men and women's fashion and blurred it. The embrodiered angarakhas with peeping bodices had both men and women salivating. The impressive gheras of the angarakhas along with pagris were eyed by the women in the audience with equal interest as was the navvari saree draped like a dhoti. Zardosi was substituted by moti ka kaam (pearl work).

The colors too were muted with earthy tones like ochre, cappuccinos,anari (pomegranate colour) and mehendi , not rich or vivacious. "They only used vegetable dyes during those days. Most colours were made from herbs and flowers," said the designer to Business Standard.

“I visited the Shivaji museum where I noticed the colours." Then there is the added element of designing for the cinema. The clothes must reflect the nuances of each of the three protagonists’ characters and their personalities as they develop through the film. The clothes, colors and accessories reflect their changing states of mind especially during pivotal moments.

Additionally with takes and re-takes through the heat and dust of bloody battle scenes, the outfits needed multiple sets as well. . “We had to create as many as six changes of the sari for the re-takes. I ended up making as many as 300 outfits for the film,” said Modi to Indian Express.

The simple makeup of the era was offset by the oppulence of the jewelry. The icing on any cake is the swirls and silver balls it wears. Jewelry pieces for the movie were sourced and designed to help highlight and recreate the various looks: Hyderabadi Nizam look for Mastani to accentuate her part-Muslim heritage; heavy chainmail armours and leather footwear for the war; and traditional Marathi jewellery – the nathni and archetypal ornaments for the demure Kashibai, a simple Maharashtrian woman and first wife of Bajirao.

As the actresses swirled on screen wrapped in Anju Modi magic, the wheels were turning in the minds of the moviegoers.The audience took mental notes on how to recreate the look of the stars. They wanted to capture the magic and take it to their tailors. In their minds they were already wrapped up in the aubergine, magenta and ochre jamdanis and paithanis.

- www.indiacurrents.com, December 26, 2015

Two minarets of the famed Taj Mahal are undergoing conservation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Mughal monument has four free-standing minarets that frame the tomb. Each minaret is more than 130 ft tall, and divided into three equal parts by two working balconies.

"ASI is involved in conservation work from time to time. Right now, our chemical wing is working on the conservation of North-West minaret. Next is South-East minaret on which folding is there, and its white marbles and black marble borders will be changed. Besides these, some circular steps will also be changed," an ASI official told PTI.

The ASI had in 2012 informed the Supreme Court that the minarets of Taj Mahal continued to tilt but there was "no cause of concern" as it was within limits. Elaborating on the nature of conservation work carried out at the monument, he said, "Conservation work is of many types. If the structure is of red sandstone, then we use the same for restoration. If it involves marble, there are other types-simple or engraving work which includes yellow, white and black marble."

ASI officials inspect the structure on a routine basis. Whenever there is a need, a proposal is submitted to the headquarters, and accordingly the funds are made available, he said. When asked how the mausoleum was being protected from the threat of pollution, the official said, "We have Central Pollution Control Board's monitoring station here. They deal with the problem of pollution. We also have ASI's pollution control board which works for our department."

About the Uttar Pradesh government's Tajganj Project aimed at sprucing up the Taj Mahal's surroundings, he said, "Cobblestone work has been done on the Shilpgram road. At some places, electric and drainage work has been done. Cobblestones are being put on the top surface of the stone.

"This work is being handled by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism department. In order to lay cobblestones within a 500-metre radius of Taj Mahal, they are also awaiting the nod of the Supreme Court," he said. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. One of the seven wonders of the world, it was completed in 1653.

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". The Mughal-era architectural wonder took nearly 20 years in the making and has been celebrated by artists, writers, poets, photographers, filmmakers, and many others through their works.

- http://www.ndtv.com/, December 27, 2015

Private museums started by corporate houses are trying to change the image of a ‘product’ that has been traditionally considered elitist

Museums and ‘art’ somehow sound ironic. On one hand is something that has come to be regarded as state-funded and slightly academic. On the other, you have, what many believe, is an elitist ‘product’. But now, there seems to be a happy marriage between the two, as a couple of private museums in the country have shown. These museums are trying to change the traditional image of art as a preserve of the privileged, making it more accessible to

the masses. In November, Piramal Art Foundation, which works towards preserving the artistic heritage of modern and contemporary Indian art, launched the Piramal Museum of Art in Mumbai. This is for the first time that a prime space in the heart of the commercial capital of the country has been dedicated to people from all walks of life. The 7,000-sq-ft museum, located at Peninsula Corporate Park in Lower Parel,

is showcasing up to 50 artworks, including paintings by renowned artists such as Akbar Padamsee, Hemendranath Mazumdar, Gaganendranath Tagore, Jehangir Sabavala, Bikash Bhattacharjee and KG Subramanyan, among others. In addition, sculptures and installations are also on display, showcasing the historical backdrop of Indian modern art.

“Private museums are the need of the hour. The Piramal Museum of Art is one step in that direction. While the government does its part in promoting the arts, we feel it is the private museums that can take quicker decisions, implement ideas faster and be more democratic in their approach to the idea of a museum. There are many private art initiatives coming up in Mumbai initiated by corporate patrons,” says Ashvin Rajagopalan, the director of the museum.

The Piramal Museum of Art is a product of the Piramal family’s passion for collecting art over the past few years, with a heavy focus on modern Indian art. “The collection has been carefully created, with each and every work being selected by the family members personally. It focuses on the works of top modern Indian masters like MF Husain, SH Raza, FN Souza, Manjit Bawa and Jehangir Sabavala, among others,” adds Rajagopalan.

The museum plans to hold about three-four major exhibitions each year. The exhibitions will be curated in a way that they introduce the audiences of Mumbai and the rest of the country to new perspectives on Indian art. “We are currently working on two exhibitions for next year—one will focus on (painter and artiste) Raja Ravi Varma and another on miniature paintings,” offers Rajagopalan.

In the national capital, however, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA)—another private museum for modern and contemporary art—has been attracting art enthusiasts for quite some time now. Started five years ago by philanthropist and art collector Kiran Nadar, wife of HCL founder Shiv Nadar, KNMA expanded and shifted into a mall (DLF Place, Saket) within a year, making art more accessible to the public.

Today, it has over 1,700 works of art, including showstoppers such as Bharti Kher’s trademark installation, a bindu-studded elephant, and SH Raza’s Saurashtra, which Nadar acquired by paying a record-breaking R16.4 crore at Christie’s London in 2010.

“Though the idea of opening a private art museum occurred with the intention of sharing my art collection with the larger public,

I was also acutely aware of the existing dearth of institutional spaces that could bring visibility to modern and contemporary art from India and the subcontinent,” says 61-year-old Nadar, who is also a competitive bridge player. To attract more and more people, these museums are trying to be as inclusive as possible. Piramal Museum of Art, for instance, uses Marathi as part of its display text,

so that it can cater to the local populace. “The museum can be easily accessed even though it is in a highly secure corporate park,” says Rajagopalan, adding, “It aims to educate and introduce to the audiences in Mumbai the idea of what Indian art is in a very interactive and informative format. Our current show, titled Smriti,

is a display of 65 artworks from the Piramal collection. Smriti is also the title of the book published on the artworks that are in the Piramal collection. It traces a history of nearly 300 years of Indian art that lead up to what we refer to as modern Indian art.”

- http://www.financialexpress.com/, December 27, 2015

The first Jaipur Bird Race is set to be organized in the city on Sunday. Apart from creating awareness among the bird watchers of Pink City, the bird race aims to strengthen the network among conservationists.

"This is the first time that such an event is being held in Jaipur. There are more than 360 species of birds that have been recorded over the years in and around the Pink City. Jaipur and its surrounding areas encompasses a broad range of habitats, from Aravalli to Shekhawati landscapes to agricultural tracts, urban parks and gardens, inland wetlands and secondary growth, and of course, human impacted areas," said Sumit Dookia, co-organizer of the bird race.

"The plan is to try see as many species as you can from dawn to dusk before assembling to your chosen site for the evening dinner. It is an event to enjoy and share - each of you can treat it as an opportunity to get one another interested in birds and share the joy," said Dookia.

The term 'race' is not to merely make the event competitive. It has been found over the years () that this exercise encourages participants to look at every bird much more closely and carefully than they would have otherwise. Over the years, the India Bird Races in India have recorded nearly 20 additional species or new records of birds for several cities.

"While there are strict rules, there is a fun element to this exercise, which will help stimulate enormous interest in bird-watching as a highly popular hobby. The event will give us a good idea of the nature of this region's birdlife and help build up support for environment and nature conservation. Of course, there is also the team spirit and participation that comes into focus here," Dookia added.

"With the world becoming increasingly urbanized, and with more and more people residing in urban areas, these limited expanses of human-influenced landscapes are in fact turning into one more type of habitat on this planet. The India Bird Races help look at the avifauna (birdlife) of these urban areas and their surroundings on a continual basis and serve to popularize bird-watching and from there on a better understanding of other aspects of our biodiversity and immediate environment so that support and awareness for the cause can be increased," said Dookia.

- The Times of India, December 27, 2015

India's commitment to control emission of poisonous gases at the recent climate change conference in Paris has come at a time when many of its thermal power plants are ageing considerably, aggravating the atmospheric pollution.

In various states, there are thermal power plants with a combined generation capacity of 32,380MW , which are more than 25 years old. Going by international standards, which have been endorsed by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) as well, the design life of coal-fired units is only 25 years.

After 25 years, plants have to be scrapped as they consume more fuel, generate less power, and emit more poisonous gases. But, due to paucity of funds, many states refurbish their old plants and make them run longer with enhanced plant load factor (PLF).

According to a study by the CEA, units with a total capacity of 5,228MW , which are more than 25 years old, need to be scrapped immediately as their PLF has dropped drastically .They need to be replaced with super critical units.

In Uttar Pradesh, plants with a combined capacity of 938MW need to be replaced, followed by Telangana, with 782.5MW . In Tamil Nadu, 5 units at Ennore with a total capacity of 450MW have been scrapped.Construction of a new super critical thermal unit with a capacity of 660MW was handed over to Lanco in 2014. The unit is expected to be commissioned in 2018.

TNEB's oldest thermal plant was in Ennore, started way back in 1970. The five units in the plant were commissioned between 1970 and 1975; out of the five, two had 60MW capacity each and the other three had 110MW capacity each.

In Tuticorin, five units were commissioned between 1979 and 1991; the units in Mettur were commissioned between 1987 and 1990; in North Chennai three units were commissioned between 1994 and 1999. "All these units with lower capacity , 110MW or 220MW , though old, have a strong plant load factor. We have also refurbished these plants. They can run for many more years," said a senior TNEB official.

"The CEA had earlier given suggestions on replacement of old and inefficient units in ultra mega power projects (UMPP), but none of the proposals was accepted by the state governments, largely due to requirement of additional land and water for UMPPs," said the report.

While steps are being taken by various states to replace 5,228 MW plants, the fate of a few other plants with a total generation capacity of 4,800MW will be decided on the basis of viability of repair and maintenance of the projects.

"In case these units are not considered feasible for overhaul, they will either be retired or replaced with supercritical units. Yet another set of units of 5,860MW capacity will be retired in a phased manner and some of these will be replaced with supercritical ones," said the report.

- The Times of India, December 27, 2015

Late rains, drought, flood, water shortage, sanitation… issues remaining to be tackled are many. By S. Vishwanath

The schoolchildren sat in rapt attention as the teacher was talking to them, explaining what they were seeing. The Bhoganandeeshwara Temple at the foot of the Nandi Hills was the setting and the stepwell was the stage. Dating back to 806 A.D. the temple has seen the Ganga Chalukya, the Cholas, the Hoysalas, the Vijaynagar Kingdom et al. The kalyani or the pushkarni – the step-well – is described and believed to be the source of the Dakshina Pinakini river and built by Krishna Devaraya of the Vijayanagara empire.

There is much to be learnt here and some of the learnings are around water. That the stepwell indicated that groundwater was relatively abundant and at a high level, that perhaps a spring emerged here which was the source of the Pinakini, that the open wells in the temple complex had water which was used for the veneration of the idols installed, that the groundwater table now has fallen to 1,000 ft. or more, that the stepwell now has to be filled with water from a borewell and much, much more. While history is a great teacher, the year 2015 also had many lessons around water.

The beginning of the year saw a drought which caused much misery and continues to do so in many parts of the country. Late rains in some districts brought some relief yet delayed monsoons mean that agricultural crops are affected. Then there was the once-in-a-hundred-year rainfall event in Chennai, spanning some weeks.

The rains taught us that you have to respect water bodies, wetlands, rivers and streams and that you cannot build or encroach them. You may build dams and barrages but these can very often become the cause of flooding if operations are not coordinated with rainfall events.

After the floods clean water and sanitation emerges as the biggest challenge. It also taught us that communities have to come together if they have to survive and that planning has to be farsighted and ensure that urban planning cannot be senseless and haphazard. Paying the price

In Bengaluru, waters from tanks started foaming and caught fire. This grabbed international attention. The city learnt that unmitigated dumping of waste-water into the lakes and rivers is not the way forward and that sooner or later a price will have to be paid. Now waste-water treatment plants are coming up, yet the problem will stay for a long time and the accumulated history of raw sewage in our lakes will need a long-term clean-up.

Communities meanwhile engaged in cleaning up their water bodies. Salem, Dindigul, Mysore , Erode, Tiptur, Hyderabad and Bengaluru saw galvanised groups of people engaging with the authorities to try and save water bodies , clean and restore them. The courts too were in the forefront of the battle to save our water bodies.

A massive campaign has been launched to provide toilets and clean up India, called the Swacchh Bharat mission. In terms of scale it is the world’s largest clean-up drive ever, with even the World Bank promising a billion-and-a-half dollars as loan support. As it is rolled out in our villages and cities, a tectonic shift in culture and behaviour will need to be triggered if we have to save our rivers, waters and health itself. The days ahead will prove whether we are ready for the challenge.

Small efforts of individuals and groups are too numerous to list but one of them called Operation Parijath quietly cleans up the ghats of Benaras, India holiest city. It is led by a dedicated group of young volunteers. In the many individual and institutional efforts will lie India’s salvation as far as water and sanitation is concerned. The bigger question of what are our rivers,

how do we understand and relate to them, what is groundwater and what should we do to make it sustainable and the critical importance of sustainable sanitation has only been touched at the tip of the iceberg in 2015. Learning the right lessons from experience would be water wisdom.

- The Hindu, December 27, 2015

India's smallest community is getting even smaller; and the Parsis are worried.

“If 3000 people are sitting in this pandal, then 20 more such pandals can accommodate all the Parsis living on Planet Earth right now. That’s how small a community we are.” Thus spake actor Boman Irani, and the 3000 Parsis packed in under the canvas at the Iranshah Udvada Utsav cheered lustily. In his usual witty way, Irani had captured the serious problem facing the Parsi community today: their dwindling numbers. The 2001 Census pegged the number of Parsis in India at 69,104.

Udvada is a tiny, sleepy village on the western coast of Gujarat, where the first sacred fire of the Parsi Zoroastrians has burned continuously for 273 years. It has a special place in Parsi culture and hearts, the equivalent of a Mecca, a Vatican City or a Varanasi. Quite appropriately, it is the venue of the Iranshah Udvada Utsav (IUU), a three-day festival which has brought the community together for, arguably, the first time since the bulk of the upcoming boomtown of that time, Bombay.

Irani has essayed some memorable roles written by Bollywood’s scriptwriters in recent times, and he quotes his rise as an example of the high esteem this tiny community is held in. Photography was his bread and butter for many years, and he did theatre on the side, until he got his big break as an actor in Hindi cinema with Munnabhai MBBS. During his photographer days, he got prime space at the Russian Consulate in Mumbai for his studio, at a nominal rent; the Consul General in Mumbai merely asked for confirmation that he was really Zoroastrian. “If you are Zoroastrian, that’s good enough,”

he says, “That speaks volumes for our identity, and the legacy that we have inherited from our forefathers.” And this makes it incumbent on the community to ensure that the legacy continues. “We are also Indians, and we must excel for our country. When you are smaller, you should be louder: by actions, by deeds, by professionalism. The fewer the numbers, the greater the responsibility on the younger generation.” Dr Shernaz Cama, who was felicitated at the festival, says that the numbers are projected to decrease further and today we probably have just 59,000 Parsis left. Dr Cama spearheads the community’s effort to increase its numbers, with the Jiyo Parsi Scheme where financial incentives are provided by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

The scheme, Dr Cama told The Hindu, has an advocacy programme that counsels couples to have children when they are younger. “The advocacy has had a snowballing effect within the community, with one couple undergoing counselling bringing in more such couples into the programme. Festivals like IUU will definitely help this initiative as it will help the community mingle together.” Launched in 2013, Jiyo Parsi “is showing positive results. We have had 37 births in 2014, and over 66 couples are currently being counselled under our advocacy programme. Our target is 200 babies in five years. Surrogacy has also been allowed, and that will help as the financial incentive will increase from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10-12 lakh per couple.”

Dr Cama is also curating an event in New Delhi in March next year, which will feature rare manuscripts from British museum, and 27 rare artefacts from Iran. It is an attempt to bring an international spotlight on Zoroastrians. Though the state of Gujarat has always valued the heritage of Udvada, nothing much had been done to preserve its heritage, until the then-Chief minister Narendra Modi sanctioned funds to build a Zoroastrian Information Centre and Museum, and repair and widen its roads.

Weeks after Mr Modi became India’s Prime Minister, he gave further encouragement to the community. Dinshaw Tamboly (who along with Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastur, the head priest, met the Prime Minister in June 2014) says, “The Udvada Area Development Authority was set up, and Rs 10 crore for 2015-16 and Rs 10 crore for next financial year were sanctioned. Mr Modi was also keen to visit the festival, but due to his diplomatic visits, he is unable to come. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be present on Sunday.” Mr Jaitley is scheduled to felicitate Ratan Tata at the festival.

The organisers also told The Hindu that the festival would not have been possible without the involvement of Dr Cyrus Poonawala, the Serum Institute of India founder, and a philanthropist. The community’s tradition of philanthropy is strong. The Iranshah Atash Behram, the fire temple dating back to 1742, is maintained with the help of Wadia family. But Udvada has more precious heritage that needs conservation. Jehangir Bhiwandiwala, who conducts heritage walks in the town, says, “Udvada has a medieval character, which is planned.

Having faced attacks and persecution in Iran and later, when the Atash Behram was created, in Sanjan, [Udvada] was planned in such a way that the fire temple was camouflaged. Earlier, the houses of the nine families tending to the sacred fire had the same height and characters of the fire temple to protect it from invaders.” He adds, “Udvada was known for camel grazing, and gets its name from ‘Ut-vada,’ literally a place for camel grazing. Every house has a well within. The toilets in the homes were planned in such a way that they do not interfere with the sacred Parsi rituals. The houses in the town show an amalgamation of Persian, European, and Indian architecture styles.”

Parsis moved to Bombay over generations partly because they were attracted to the opportunities that the metropolis offered. But more recently, other factors have contributed too. Hoshang Havewala, whose family once owned 12,000 acres of farmland near their ancestral village of Nargol, 35 kms away from Udvada, says, “Parsis had large tracts of farmland, but the land reform deprived many of the large landholding, and many moved to cities. It is obviously very hard to preserve old wooden houses,” he says. “Luckily my house is fairly modern, and I have managed to look after it.” Havewala, though, now lives in Mumbai.

Bhiwandiwala says that the festival will help bring greater awareness to the conservation efforts. “The sea levels have been rising, and protection of structures on the coast is a concern. Parsis from Mumbai come in their SUVs and whiz past Udvada within an hour without showing their concern for its heritage. There is a need for sensitising the community and tourists. The drainage system needs an overhaul as the seepage in the soil can contaminate the water in the well which is used for rituals.”

To keep Udvada’s flame burning, the younger generation must, to put it gently, reproduce. But, as Boman Irani says, “Dasturji [the head priest] also asks me, what can we do about the dwindling numbers? What can I say? I can’t go on the honeymoon and supervise! Young girls and boys, get on with it!”

- The Hindu, December 27, 2015

Expanding its footprint in Bihar, heritage body INTACH has opened its new chapter in the silk city of Bhagalpur. This move is likely to boost efforts to document and preserve old buildings and landmarks in the historic city.

- The Hindu, December 28, 2015

To avoid getting flooded like Chennai in a changing climate, Delhi will need to integrate its human settlements with small and large biodiversity habitats such as wetlands, scrub forests and floodplains.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage's (Intach) natural heritage division recently submitted an exhaustive report to Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC) and other Delhi government departments on the impact climate change could have on Delhi, and how the city can prepare itself with maps of various geological zones.

The report states that retreating glaciers in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will lead to water shortages and even drought in river basins upstream and downstream of Delhi. Satellite images show that, of the 29 glaciers feeding Gori Ganga, a tributary of the Ganges, 20 are retreating.

Intach also cites assessments by Urban Climate Change Research Network (UCCRN) that found that the mean temperature of Delhi has risen between 1931 and 2005, although not significantly. However, most of the warming has happened in the past three decades.

The semi-arid Delhi region is likely to warm up by 1.5-2.5 degrees Celsius by the 2050s. "In 1987 and 2002 there was hardly any rain in Delhi. These were aberrations, but due to climate change such phenomena could increase in frequency," said Manu Bhatnagar from Intach,

adding that they are trying to see how the city would endure two consecutive years of drought. "Do we have backup? Rainfall pattern has changed a lot; we are losing waterbodies. Between 1999 and 2010, 25% of Delhi's waterbodies were lost. The report devises a plan to deal with such a contingency," said Bhatnagar.

- The Times of India, December 29, 2015

It An official said, "The old buildings which are facing the major markets will have to maintain uniformity in terms of colour and construction. The specifications of the colour should be mentioned and owners will have to adhere to them while renovating their houses." Initially, sprawling over a two-square-kilometre area, the old city faces myriad pressures that are affecting its most intimate identity. Transport, housing, retail, recreation and tourism all are competing over a relatively small area, distorting the entire essence and character of the city.

The official added, "After the forma tion of heritage bylaws, the maps will be approved only if they are in sync with the heritage norms. As parking has become a major problem in the Walled City , a provision to construct slit parking will be made. For this, the JMC would allow to dig 810 feet area to construct pillars."

The state department of archaeology had submitted an application for Jaipur's nomination to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in March 2015. However, even after that, minimal efforts were made to preserve the city's heritage.

The dichotomy is that while the department of archaeology claims the `Walled City' is in a well-defined area with nine gates, the Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage (INTACH), in its recent report, said that only about 25% of the original Pink City wall remains. may be a little late in the day for the state government to wake up to from the heritage bylaws, more so after the Rajasthan Heritage Conservation Bill 2015 was dropped due to opposition from the erstwhile royal families. Ironically, despite the state government's several attempts over the last decade, so far there is no law to declare or regulate the heritage properties.

But now, in a bid to keep a tab on the rampant construction in the Walled City area, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has started drafting the heritage bylaws. Deputy mayor Manoj Bhardwaj said, "The JMC is framing the heritage and building bylaws for Walled City. We have finalised a list of 11 members who are heritage experts to help us in the matter.

" The JMC has drafted a proposal to constitute a high-level technical committee. The committee members will comprise town planners, heritage experts and legal advisers. Once the committee frames the bylaws, the construction and repair work in the Walled City will be done as per the bylaws. "On January 18, the bylaws committee meeting is scheduled," added Bhardwaj.

These days, call it a 'Walled City' or the 'Pink City', but none of the two terms define the 19th century historic city made by Sawai Jai Singh II. Meant to house a population of 50,000, the city today houses over 6 lakh people and is no longer 'walled', nor is it uniformly pink. Decades of unplanned development and rampant encroachments have degraded the heritage properties considerably.

- The Times of India, December 29, 2015