Shekhawat replies to TSR’s question: 43 monuments in U’khand under ASI care
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed that there are currently 43 centrally protected monuments and sites in Uttarakhand that are under the care and maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in response to a question raised by the Haridwar MP Trivendra Singh Rawat in Lok Sabha.
The Union Minister further said in his reply that the conservation of these sites is carried out according to requirements and available resources in line with the National Policy for Conservation. He assured that all these sites are currently in good condition.
Shekhawat also highlighted the active role of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) in promoting the folk, traditional and tribal performing arts of Uttarakhand. Recently, it organised several programmes in the State, including “Kala Dharohar,” a series of workshops dedicated to Meera Bai, held in Suyal Bari, Nainital on August 23 and 24, 2024, in Dehradun on November 14 and 15, 2024, and in Tapovan, Tehri Garhwal on the same dates among many others.
He further informed Rawat that to protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk art and culture across the country, the Central Government has established seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs). These ZCCs regularly organise cultural activities and programmes in their member states. Since Uttarakhand is a member state of both the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) in Patiala and the North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC) in Prayagraj, cultural festivals and art promotion events are organised in Uttarakhand by these ZCCs, he said.
Sharing more details, he said that SNA has launched four training programmes for Uttarakhand’s performing art forms under the “Kala Deeksha” scheme (Guru Shishya Parampara).
He emphasised that through various programmes and training initiatives, a significant positive impact is being observed in the preservation and promotion of India’s cultural heritage.
