India is a land full of surprises and diversity. It is a country of extremes that can shock you at every corner. This has been well experienced and documented by travellers and explorers of yesterday as well as the current times. While, one can get absolutely mesmerised by the stunning landscapes of the Himalayan foothills, plains, coastal regions, deserts and forests, the vibrant culture of the country is equally intriguing. India lives in so many centuries at the same time. For most foreign travelers India has been a life changing experience. Mark Twain often said “One land that all men desire to see, and having seen once by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for all shows of all the rest of the globe combined”. The rich heritage of India, one of the world’s oldest civilisations, is an all embracing confluence of religions, traditions and customs. A visit to the heritage sites is like a walk through history, changing lanes with every dynasty that ruled Indian soils.
April 18, each year around the world is observed as “World Heritage Day”. The preservation of heritage is a core human right to cultural self determination and autonomy. Generations have lived before us and have shaped the world we reside in. It is important to protect our heritage as it adds character and distinctiveness to the place, region or community and hence provides a sense of identity. Preserving our global diversity not only benefits those whose cultures we safeguard, but maintains ideologies and ways of thinking that we can learn from. Besides having a diverse world just makes it more interesting to live in.
Internationally this day is observed to restore and conserve historical cities, dying ancient tribes, etc. The day is celebrated with an aim to boost local communities and people to know the importance of cultural heritage in their lives. The day aims at educating people about the diversity of the world’s heritage sites and the efforts essential in protecting and conserving them. It is on this day that people of different geographical regions meet with each other and share information about their history, heritage and traditions. Our heritage provides clues to our past and how our society has evolved. It helps us examine our history and traditions and enables us develop awareness about ourselves. It helps us understand and explain why we are the way we are.
Why is it important to preserve our heritage? Heritage is much more than preserving, excavating, displaying, restoring or collecting of old things. Heritage includes our inherited traditions, monuments, objects and culture. In every country, cultural heritage is both a record of life and history and also an irreplaceable source of creativity and inspiration. Our cultural heritage like our DNA, determines who we are and where our families journey from. This, especially in the case of migrants and refugees. A nation’s cultural and natural heritage resides in the hearts and soul of its people. A nation that chooses to ignore and bury its history and blank out on its past, is like a tree without roots condemned to extinction. Our heritage is what we have inherited from the past, to value and enjoy in the present, and to preserve and pass on to future generations. It is important to see your heritage as an inheritance that has great value. The spirits of our ancestors are rooted in our heritage and need to be preserved for all times to come. In fact, it is unfortunate to have a rich heritage and not know about it, especially since its part of who you are. They are our touch stones, our points of reference, our identity. Heritage, tangible as well as intangible, has a positive influence on many aspects of the way a community develops. Love your monuments. They are part of a rich civilisation and speak volumes of a bygone era. Conservation of heritage buildings is very important.
The past achievements of a nation which survive the onslaught of time pass into the realm of heritage. Thus, heritage is that part of culture which is inherited by the posterity collectively. India’s cultural heritage is not only one of the most ancient, but it is also one of the most extensive and varied. As a matter of fact, Indian culture represents a synthesis of several ways of life. Cultural heritage implies a shared bond and gives us a sense of belongingness to the communities we live in. Preserving our heritage is central to protecting our sense of who we are. The occasion of heritage day is for each and every individual and needs the contribution from every person. Today let us remember the heritage of our country and feel proud to be part of it. A national heritage enhances our pride by promoting a sense of national identity. Secondly, it brings people of different castes, races, cultures and ethnicity together under a shared history. National heritages also help people to gain more understanding of their ancient cultures and past.
In the recent budget of the Goa government Rs 20 crores has been allotted for the restoration of temples lying in a dilapidated condition. The present ruling dispensation in Goa better know that distorting history in any way is considered to be worse than a weapon of mass destruction. Any attempt to wipe out our distinct identity would have its first deadly impact on the tourism industry.
(The writer is a social scientist and a senior practising criminal lawyer).
