India should showcase its heritage with pride: Modi
New Delhi, July 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India should showcase its great heritage with pride and questioned rules that prohibit people from taking pictures at some monuments.
Inaugurating Dharohar Bhawan, the new headquarters building of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), here Modi called for people's participation and involvement in protecting the country's archeological heritage.
He said a mentality still prevails which does not allow people to take pride in their past achievements and noted that there should have been a change of such a mindset after Independence.
"It is unfortunate that there is an entrenched mentality which feels that taking pride in our past glory is wrong. I feel till the time we have pride in our legacy, in our past achievements, we are also not fully involved in its conservation," Modi said.
Modi referred to notices at some monuments asking people not to take pictures and said the times had changed and it was possible through technology to zero in on a neighbourhood.
"Using space technology, you can know what is the number of a scooter parked in an area of Delhi. But on the board of monument it is written that photography is prohibited. Time has changed, technology has changed."
Recalling his experience as Gujarat chief minister, Modi said that he gave instructions to withdraw notice that prevented people from taking pictures at Sardar Sarovar dam.
He said there was good response and ticketing was done later.
Modi said corporate sector can also be involved in the task of archaeological conservation and people can contribute some hours as volunteers.
He said school syllabus in cities that have archeological sites can include information on these places so that students can learn about them.
Modi said the youth can be encouraged to work as guides and recalled that he had suggested holding a best guide talent competition on TV channels to nurture interest in people.
He said like some foreign countries, senior citizens in India can also form clubs and work as guides.
The Prime Minister said the ASI had performed significant work over the last 150 years and each archaeological discovery, painstakingly made by archaeologists over long periods of time, had its own story to tell.
"India should showcase its great heritage with pride and confidence to the world," he said.
Modi recalled his meeting with Haibhai Godani, who had made a rich and memorable collection of artefacts through sustained personal efforts.
The new headquarters of ASI is equipped with modern facilities including energy efficient lighting and rainwater harvesting. It has a Central Archaeological Library with a collection of about 1.5 lakh books and journals.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
