Focus on Taj Mahal

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannathanam have rightly hailed Taj Mahal as an architectural and archaeological wonder. Alphons has described Taj as India's pride, and no one in their right mind would dispute the minister. Yogi has spoken well about Taj Mahal and has come out with fresh plans for the grand monument. The words of wisdom and maturity from these top two public servants will soothe frayed nerves because their sober take on the world's wonder comes in the aftermath of an unwanted controversy sparked off by an MLA Sangeet Som's distasteful remarks on the marvellous, ivory white, beauty situated on the banks of the Yamuna.

The legislator's poor knowledge of history is evident by the fact that he mistook Shah Jahan for Aurangzeb by declaring the former had "imprisoned his father". The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage site, built between 1623-1653 is a extra-ordinary symbol of love and memory. Taj Mahal is also a tribute to the perseverance and skill of labourers of that era who erected a magnificent illustrious tomb. Therefore, Yogi Adityanath is spot on in saying that the monument was constructed with the blood and sweat of Indians, no matter what others say about the architectural wonder. 

The mausoleum is a top tourist attraction which draws thousands of people from India and abroad. The Taj allured approximately seven million visitors in 2014. The heritage site is a huge revenue-earner for the government. However, if at all, the verbal garbage of Som has gone a long way in setting right the UP government's priorities because Taj Mahal was left out of the Yogi government's tourist booklet a few days back. It is in the fitness of things that Yogi has announced the UP government's decision to earmark Rs 156 cr towards the preservation and upliftment of the monument. 

 Also, serious threats lay not in publicity mongers' acerbic words, but by way of environmental pollution including the infamous "acid rain" from a nearby oil refinery. The government has to ponder about the right direction in maintaining the structural integrity of one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World". Warding off external dangers, including terror and ensuring safety and security of tourists', are vital.