New Delhi, 14 June: Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said that in the last eight years, 228 historical and valuable antiquities have been brought back from abroad in the country whereas before this the number of these antiquities was only 13.
He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the work of bringing back indigenous historical heritage from abroad has been done rapidly. Most of these historical antiquities were brought from many countries including UK, Germany, Singapore, Australia, and Canada. Diplomatic relations with these countries also strengthened.
Addressing the meeting of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Central Advisory Board of Archeology (KABA) in New Delhi, G Kishan Reddy said that there is a need to expedite the work on the five iconic sites announced in the budget for the year 2021-22. These sites include Sivasagar, Dholavira, Adichellanoor, Rakhigarhi and Hastinapur. All these iconic sites will strengthen our cultural roots and also give a boost to the tourism sector.
He said that the ASI is doing important work to preserve the historical heritage of India and to develop basic facilities in them under the MSAR Act 1958. In the coming one year, the work will also have to be done fast for the important meeting of the G20 countries’ conferences.
He expressed hope that the conclusion reached in the meeting of the Kaaba will accelerate the work of conservation of monuments and work towards setting new records will be done expeditiously. He said that the ASI has set many records in the conservation of monuments.
Make an important contribution to the Ganga campaign at Har Ghar
G Kishan Reddy exhorted that the ASI can play an important role in Har Ghar Ganga campaign. The ASI can spread awareness about this campaign in the villages around their monuments and play an important part in it.
It is worth mentioning that the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology (CABA) was formed in the year 1945 according to the Indian Constitution. The tenure of CABA is three years.
The CABA is a board that makes recommendations to the Central Government along with the Culture Secretaries of the States for the works of ASI such as excavation and conservation, including the maintenance of sites, buildings, museums of historical importance. In true sense, the work of deciding the future of the ASI is done by the CABA.
