India, with its vast history and cultural diversity, is home to numerous ancient sites and heritage monuments that are of immense significance. The government of India has acknowledged the importance of preserving the nation’s timeless and rich cultural heritage. The government’s effort has been led from the front by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the slogan he gave- ‘Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi’. The Prime Minister has accorded pivotal importance to protecting and promoting Indian knowledge systems, traditions and cultural ethos, both nationally and internationally.
One of the notable accomplishments is the redevelopment of neglected sites of civilisational significance. As of May 2023, a total number of 45 projects at a cost of Rs 1584.42 crore covering pilgrimage sites across the country have been approved under PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme by the government as part of its commitment to safeguarding India's ancient civilisational heritage. After decades of neglect, various sites with India’s long civilisational history etched on them have been revived through conservation, restoration and development projects. The Kashi Vishwanath corridor and various other projects in Varanasi have transformed the bylanes, ghats and temple complexes in the city. Similarly, projects like the Mahakaal Lok project in Ujjain and the Ma Kamakhya corridor in Guwahati are expected to enrich the experience of pilgrims visiting the temple, provide them with world-class amenities, as well as boost tourism and the local economy. In a historic moment, Bhoomipujan for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was held in August 2020 and construction of a grand temple is in full swing.
Another remarkable endeavour is the 825 kilometre long Char Dham road project, providing seamless all-weather road connectivity to the four holy shrines. The Prime Minister had earlier laid the foundation stones for reconstruction and development projects in Kedarnath in 2017 including Adi Shankaracharya's Samadhi which was devastated in the catastrophic flash floods of 2013. In November 2021, the Prime Minister inaugurated the statue of Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi at Kedarnath. Additionally, two ropeway projects connecting Gaurikund to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib are set to further enhance accessibility and facilitate the spiritual journey of the devotees.
In yet another instance of dedication to preserving cultural heritage, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several projects in Somnath, Gujarat, including the Somnath promenade, Somnath exhibition centre and the reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath. Similarly, the opening of the Kartarpur corridor and Integrated Check Post was a momentous occasion, enabling easier access for devotees to pay their respects at the revered Gurudwara Kartapur Sahib in Pakistan.
Preservation of the Himalayan and Buddhist cultural heritage also holds a special place in the government's efforts. As part of the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the government has initiated 76 projects aimed at developing thematic circuits that showcase the diverse cultural heritage of India. The focus extends to the development of world-class infrastructure for the Buddhist circuit, thereby enhancing the spiritual experience for devotees. In 2021, the Kushinagar international airport was inaugurated, facilitating easy access to the Mahaparinirvana temple. The Ministry of Tourism is actively developing destinations under the Buddhist circuit in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. In addition, the foundation stone for the technologically advanced India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini, Nepal, was laid in May 2022 by PM Modi, further highlighting the government's commitment to the preservation and promotion of Buddhist heritage and India’s cultural diversity.
India's cultural heritage also received a significant boost through the repatriation of antiquities. As on April 24, 2023, 251 invaluable antiquities of Indian origin had been retrieved back from different countries, out of which 238 have been brought back since 2014. These repatriations stand as a testament to the government's commitment to safeguarding and reclaiming India's cultural treasures.
The development of 12 heritage cities under the HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) scheme showcases the commitment of the government to establish itself as a custodian of an extraordinary heritage. India boasts of an impressive 40 world heritage sites, out of which 32 are cultural, seven are natural and one is under the mixed category, showcasing the diversity and richness of India's heritage. In the last nine years alone, 10 new sites have been added to the world heritage list. Additionally, India's tentative list has expanded from 15 sites in 2014 to 52 in 2022, indicating global recognition of India’s cultural heritage and its potential to attract a large number of foreign travellers.
The cultural richness of India was also exhibited through the month-long ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ –organised in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, with the objective to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi – two of the country’s most important and ancient seats of learning. Through such programmes, the government emphatically promotes the idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, which aims to celebrate the culture of the country. Recently, the decision to celebrate Statehood Days by all the Raj Bhawans of all the States across the country also highlights the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Through all these ambitious projects and initiatives, the Government of India, guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has taken significant strides to promote and preserve India's cultural heritage. They reflect a deep awareness of the nation's rich culture and a steadfast commitment to preserving its heritage. By safeguarding and promoting India's cultural and spiritual treasures, the government aims to enrich the present and future generations’ understanding of Indian history and culture. With the potential to attract a growing number of international tourists and ongoing efforts to revitalise the heritage sites, India's ancient civilisation and cultural traditions will continue to shine on the global stage.
(Bhasin is additional director general and Kataria is assistant director in the Press Information Bureau. Views expressed are personal)
