Question

Please Provide the summary of -A thumbs down for the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme

Answer 1

Nachiket Chanchani criticizes the 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme, which allows private companies and public sector units to adopt and maintain state-owned archaeological sites or monuments. The companies are known as Monument Mitras, and they may use their Corporate Social Responsibility funds to build museums, interpretation centers, restaurants, toilets, and walkways at the sites. The author argues that allowing businesses, rather than trained professionals, to develop content for museums and interpretation centers could threaten India's understanding of its own past. Furthermore, many monuments already have tourist infrastructure, so it is unclear why there is a need for new ticket offices and gift shops. The scheme also allows businesses to occupy prime public land, which could diminish the grounds around iconic monuments, and it may undermine local communities' relationships with historical sites. Additionally, monuments not adopted by Monument Mitras within the predetermined timeframe could be turned over to the Tourism Department and converted into hotels. The author suggests that businesses should instead help citizens understand why monuments matter by earmarking CSR funds for grants for researching, writing, and publishing high-quality textbooks, and developing imaginative and effective ways of teaching history.

Comments

The 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme is an initiative of the Indian government launched in 2017, which allows private sector companies and public sector units to adopt and maintain state-owned archaeological sites or monuments. The scheme aims to enhance the tourist experience, ensure their maintenance, and promote tourism at these sites by providing better infrastructure, facilities, and amenities. Under this scheme, the government allows companies to use their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to maintain the selected sites and develop their tourist infrastructure. These companies are called 'Monument Mitras.' However, the scheme has received criticism from some quarters for its potential impact on historical preservation, local communities, and the environment.

Answer 2

The 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme is a program initiated by the Indian government in 2017 to allow private firms, companies, and public sector units to adopt and maintain State-owned archaeological sites or monuments. Under the new version of the scheme, businesses may use their Corporate Social Responsibility funds at select sites to construct and maintain ticket offices, restaurants, museums, interpretation centers, toilets, and walkways. They may also set up guided tours, hold cultural programs, and fix equipment for light and sound shows.

Nachiket Chanchani argues against the scheme as it allows businesses to take over the responsibility of building and maintaining museums and interpretation centers, which threatens India's understanding of its past. Furthermore, the scheme ignores the mandate of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and abandons The Sarnath Initiative, guidelines devised by the ASI, the Getty Trust, U.S., the British Museum, and National Culture Fund to safe keep excavated objects and present them to visitors in an engaging manner. The adoption of the scheme by businesses may also undermine the livelihoods of local communities and their relationships with historical sites. Finally, the scheme might lead to the alteration of the historical character of the monuments without much opposition.