Dr. Shalvapille Iyengar inaugurates World Heritage Day celebrations

Mysuru: Dr. Shalvapille Iyengar, Chairman of Department of Studies in Research in Ancient History and Archaeology, Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysuru, has said that the indigenous culture shall remain only if we preserve the heritage set by our ancestors.

He was speaking after inaugurating World Heritage Day celebrations organised by the Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museum and Institution of Engineers-India (IEI), Mysuru Local Centre, at the former’s office auditorium at  Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) grounds, in city on Apr. 18.

If one has a keen observation of the history, the heritage of the country that was preserved for several years, was destroyed in the wars. With the heritage considered as a link of the past, it is the responsibility of everyone to save the culture.

The Government and organisations have to take a step forward to save the heritage buildings and monuments. On one hand efforts are made by the Government to conserve the heritage structures like old Deputy Commissioner’s Office building, Devaraja Market and Lansdowne building, but on the other hand, some are adamant towards razing and rebuilding the new structures,                                                           regretted Iyengar.

With the public perception favouring the demolition of heritage buildings in a precarious state and reconstruction, confusion prevails among the officials. If we don’t preserve culture and tradition of the land, the next generation won’t be aware of any such key aspects,  said Iyengar.

A. Devaraju, Commissioner, Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums, said, we may lose the heritage structures like Devaraja Market, Maharani’s College, Saraswathipuram Fire Brigade building and Lansdowne building for the differing opinions and conflicts among us. The monuments with heritage significance are staring at their extinction due to unnecessary interventions. We all have a collective responsibility towards conserving such invaluable assets, he said.

The Government alone cannot be held accountable for the conservation of heritage structures. The public also may share the responsibility by adopting the monuments. The State Government has amended The Town and Country Planning Act and has made provisions to constitute District Level Heritage Committees to protect heritage structures and monuments in every district, said Devaraju.

IEI Mysuru Chairman Dr. R. Deepu, Architect Sharath Chandra, Archaeological Conservation Engineers T. Tarakesh and Ambarish, Dr. S.A. Mohan Krishna and others were present.