Everyone in city is not pleased with the Union government’s decision to give Red Fort to a corporate house for upkeep when we have the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to look after it. If the ASI is not competent enough to conserve the Red Fort, then why not disband it and give all monuments to private companies. MANJIRI KHER talks to a cross section of people to gauge their reactions.
Ira Natu, 21, BE Student
Corporate houses’ main aim is to earn maximum profit and often ignore what is in the best interest for the cultural heritage of the country which in fact is the priority of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Hence, in my opinion, the government has erred in handing over this historical monument to a corporate house.
Disha Natu, 16, School Student
The activities of Archaeological Survey of India, be it in archaeology or conservation, has either come to a standstill or is being carried out at below-par levels in terms of quality. Therefore, private sector should be given an upper hand in protection of monuments. At the same time some restraints should be enforced on them.
Divy Jain, 18, BBA Student
In my view Red Fort is not the property of the state to do what it wills as it also belongs to the people. It was made by the labourer’s blood, sweat and tears. It belongs to the people. “Adopt a monument”, what euphemism for corporate appropriation of our history.
Sakshi Joshi, 20, BBA Student
In my opinion it is not right to handover the upkeep of historical monuments to corporate houses because they may consider it as a source of minting money. Therefore it is better to provide more fund to the ASI itself, which could be staffed by experts from all over the country to conserve our priceless monuments.
Deepali Karmalkar, 26, Educator
I think it is good to give a chance to a corporate firm to conserve the rich heritage of our country. We have seen how the government agencies are working. Therefore it is be better to entrust the upkeep to private parties. The ASI has been lacking in their work hence this step might be a positive one.
Saurabh Karmalkar, 29, Senior engineer, Honeywell
We have seen lot of heritage places filled with garbage, its walls defaced, dry gardens, even some places have turned into public toilets. The reason behind this could be lack of funding or corrupt officers. Therefore, it is good that the Red Fort has been taken from ASI and given to a private player.
Savita Natu, 48, Housewife
A similar initiative was taken by the Central government some years ago and privatised many government owned services to boost the economy. The poor management of monuments by the ASI forced the government to engage private firms for the conservation of this heritage. This might prove to be a descendant of the previous privatisation.
Mrunal Karmalkar, 25, Housewife
There must be better way to conserve nation’s greatest monument than by auctioning them off to a corporate houses. The ASI has better knowledge about the heritage as it has managed it for several decades. I am sure they can do better if more help is given to them by the government.