India’s civilizational identity rests on its vast repository of monuments, archaeological sites, art forms, and cultural traditions that span thousands of years. With 3,685 centrally protected monuments and sites under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Narendra Modi Government has consistently prioritized their preservation and restoration, ensuring that India’s glorious past remains a guiding light for future generations.
Continuous Conservation under ASI
The ASI is entrusted with the conservation, preservation, and maintenance of these protected monuments and sites. This is a continuous process guided by the National Policy for Conservation, 2014. Conservation work is prioritized based on structural needs, historical importance, and availability of resources. The government’s approach combines scientific conservation with modern restoration technologies, ensuring both structural safety and cultural authenticity.
Digital Preservation and Intangible Heritage
Cultural preservation is not limited to stone and structure. Recognizing the value of intangible heritage, the Ministry of Culture supports the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), which conducts regular programmes for documentation and digital archiving of performing arts and other Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) elements. These initiatives safeguard traditions in the face of rapid modernization.
Workshops for capacity building, financial assistance to cultural organizations and individuals, and digital documentation projects ensure that folk, tribal, and regional traditions are not lost. Complementing these efforts, Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) document visual and performing arts in print and audiovisual formats, preserving them for both academic research and cultural transmission.
Promotion of Folk and Tribal Traditions
The Sahitya Akademi’s initiative “Loka: The Many Voices” has been instrumental in promoting grassroots cultural exchanges. Through lectures and demonstrations, this programme safeguards folk and tribal art, creating awareness at both the national and international level. These initiatives align with Prime Minister Modi’s larger vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, where cultural diversity is celebrated as a unifying force.
Accessibility and Inclusive Heritage
A hallmark of the Modi Government’s policy has been inclusivity. In line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016, ASI has implemented accessibility standards across monuments, sites, and museums. The guidelines notified by the Ministry of Culture in 2023 emphasize equality, dignity, and non-discrimination, ensuring that historical heritage is accessible to all citizens, including persons with disabilities.
Protecting Cultural Property from Loot and Trafficking
Illicit trafficking of antiquities has historically been a major threat to India’s heritage. The government has tightened security at monuments through regular deployment of watch and ward staff, Private Security Guards, and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). In cases of theft, swift FIRs and Look Out Notices are issued to law enforcement and customs authorities. India’s proactive diplomacy has also resulted in the retrieval of several stolen antiquities from abroad in the last five years, reflecting the government’s determination to restore cultural pride.
Heritage in Education
Another innovative initiative has been the integration of performing arts into the school curriculum. The Sangeet Natak Akademi has collaborated with NCERT to incorporate various ICH elements in education, ensuring that younger generations grow with awareness and pride in India’s cultural heritage. This is a forward-looking investment in cultural continuity.
The Modi Government’s efforts to preserve and restore ancient monuments go far beyond physical conservation. By combining scientific restoration, digital archiving, accessibility, cultural documentation, anti-trafficking measures, and education, the government has adopted a holistic framework for heritage preservation. These efforts are not only about protecting India’s past but also about shaping its future as a nation rooted in its civilizational ethos while confidently embracing modernity.
The preservation of monuments and traditions underlines a fundamental truth as a Viksit Bharat cannot be imagined without a proud and protected Sanskritik Bharat.
