No Force On Earth Can Stop An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Those words by Victor Hugo make an apt response to the naysayers of ‘Monument Mitra’. ‘Adopt a Heritage’ is an innovative proposal jointly mooted by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and ASI (truly Archaic-ological Survey of India) in September 2017 to source and select ‘Monument Mitras’ (private sector companies, public sector companies and individuals) to entrust heritage sites/monuments and other sites for the development, operations and maintenance of tourist-friendly amenities spanning cleanliness, conveniences and accessibility. In simple words, this would mean toilets, wheelchair ramps, garbage collection and disposal, signage and the like.

Over 30 entities have been shortlisted to adopt 93 ASI-ticketed monuments in phase 1. Recently, when the authorities sanctioned the ‘adoption’ of Red Fort by the lesser-known Dalmia Bharat Group, all hell broke loose. Opposition parties, left liberals and conservation crusaders cried foul saying India’s rich heritage was being mortgaged cheap to profit-hungry corporates.

This is far from the truth. Thousands of years of Indian heritage shaped by visionary rulers, talented craftsmen and committed labour lie wasted since ages in spite of our focus on ‘Incredible India’. Among our 36 UNESCO® World Heritage sites, none have yet in place basic site management, tourist facilities or interpretation centres. We have 116 ASI-ticketed monuments and 3868 archaeological sites apart from hundreds of museums and parks. Each has a similar story of neglect to narrate. The absence of these basics actually devalues our heritage and spoils the visitor experience.

There are limits to government spending and what it can achieve. If the private sector is willing to undertake this, be it for branding or CSR objectives, why should it be anyone’s worry as long as the terms of the MoU are being met? Our inherent cynicism had yet again jumped the gun.

Luckily, before the senseless cacophony of negativity prevailed, expert voices have come in full support. None other than Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, Managing Trustee of the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum, a perfect example of a successful public-private partnership supported by the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, stated in an op-ed she penned for the Times of India, “Monument Mitra comes not a moment too soon, tourism will never take off under old policies”.