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Srimukhalingam temple priest holds protest, seeks UNESCO status

Srimukhalingam temple priest holds protest, seeks UNESCO status

The Hindu6 hours ago

Naidugari Rajasekhar, chief priest of the Srimukhalingam temple in Srikakulam district, has asked the government to initiate efforts to get UNESCO World Heritage status for the 1,000-year-old historic temple. On Monday, he staged a protest in New Delhi to draw the attention of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Union government to the temple's historical significance.
In a press release, he emphasised that UNESCO's recognition would ensure speedy development and preservation of the temple which was constructed by Eastern Ganga Dynasty rulers between the 6th and 12th centuries.
He said: 'The Srimukhalingam temple located in the Gara mandal of Srikakulam district is one of the ancient temples of Lord Shiva. I have submitted detailed memorandums to the President of India's office and the ASI Director General, Yaduvir Singh Rawat, urging them to send a detailed note to UNESCO for consideration, so that it would extend recognition of the temple.'

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Srimukhalingam temple priest holds protest, seeks UNESCO status
Srimukhalingam temple priest holds protest, seeks UNESCO status

The Hindu

time6 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Srimukhalingam temple priest holds protest, seeks UNESCO status

Naidugari Rajasekhar, chief priest of the Srimukhalingam temple in Srikakulam district, has asked the government to initiate efforts to get UNESCO World Heritage status for the 1,000-year-old historic temple. On Monday, he staged a protest in New Delhi to draw the attention of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Union government to the temple's historical significance. In a press release, he emphasised that UNESCO's recognition would ensure speedy development and preservation of the temple which was constructed by Eastern Ganga Dynasty rulers between the 6th and 12th centuries. He said: 'The Srimukhalingam temple located in the Gara mandal of Srikakulam district is one of the ancient temples of Lord Shiva. I have submitted detailed memorandums to the President of India's office and the ASI Director General, Yaduvir Singh Rawat, urging them to send a detailed note to UNESCO for consideration, so that it would extend recognition of the temple.'

Residents around Shaniwar Wada stage protest, demand lifting of ban on reconstruction within 100 m of protected monuments
Residents around Shaniwar Wada stage protest, demand lifting of ban on reconstruction within 100 m of protected monuments

Hindustan Times

time21 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

Residents around Shaniwar Wada stage protest, demand lifting of ban on reconstruction within 100 m of protected monuments

Residents living around the historic Shaniwar Wada on Sunday staged a protest demanding that heritage laws prohibiting reconstruction within 100 metres of protected monuments be repealed. Members of the Shaniwar Wada Heritage Victims' Committee gathered holding placards that read: 'No begging, we want a house of our right', calling current laws unjust and outdated. The protesters demanded that restrictive laws barring reconstruction within 100 metres of protected monuments such as Shaniwar Wada be abolished. They said that families living in the area for generations are now facing displacement due to regulations under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance, 2010. The law, enacted by Parliament, prohibits redevelopment or new construction within 100 metres of monuments protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), including Shaniwar Wada and Pataleshwar. Sunil Tambat, chairman of the committee, said, 'Residents whose families have been here since the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Peshwas are now forced to live in crumbling structures, with no legal rights to rebuild. Most cannot afford to buy homes elsewhere. These heritage laws have left us trapped.' Sunday's protest was attended by several local residents and activists, including Mayuresh Pawar, Ganesh Nalawade, Sanjay Fengde, Kundan Tambat, Anupama Majumdar, Swapnil Thorve, and others. The committee plans to continue its agitation until the demands of its members are met. In March 2023, the committee had also written to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) seeking permission for total reconstruction of dilapidated houses and a reconsideration of ASI norms. However, there was no response which prompted the Sunday protest. The issue has grown more urgent due to the deteriorating condition of several traditional wadas—historic residential structures—in nearby areas like Kasba Peth, Budhwar Peth, Shaniwar Peth, and Nana Peth. According to a 2022-23 survey conducted by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 57 such wadas located within 100 metres of Shaniwar Wada were declared dangerous. Of these, 26 structures fall under the C1 category (extremely unsafe and uninhabitable); while 31 fall under the C2 (moderately unsafe) category. Every monsoon, the PMC begins the process of evicting residents from these buildings to prevent accidents. PMC executive engineer Supriya Walse-Patil clarified, 'As per the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), residents are allowed to repair structures within 100 metres of Shaniwar Wada. However, any redevelopment or new construction still requires approval from the archaeological department, which remains restricted under ASI rules.' Local MLA Hemant Rasane, representing the Kasba Peth constituency, acknowledged the limitations of current laws and the plight of residents. 'The ASI law is the same across India. Changing it requires a central government policy decision. We are following up on the matter with the Centre. In addition to this, redevelopment of wadas poses a separate set of challenges, and I am actively working with the state government to find a solution.'

Will work to better indigenous rights and knowledge system: Minz
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Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

Will work to better indigenous rights and knowledge system: Minz

1 2 Ranchi: Sonjharia Minz, who was recently appointed as the 'UNESCO co-chair in Transforming Indigenous Knowledge Research Governance (IKRG) and Rematriation', said she would work to advance indigenous rights and self-determination besides knowledge system through artificial intelligence (AI) to uplift indigenous communities. A member of the Oraon tribe from Jharkhand, the professor in computer science department with the Jawaharlal Nehru University said, "We are on the brink of losing indigenous languages around the world. Indigenous languages are more than mere communication tools. They are repository of culture, knowledge and knowledge system. They are awaiting urgent attention for revitalisation." Stating that her work would cover tribal communities across the country, she said, "I will implement IKRG through artificial intelligence with tribal researchers and knowledge partners." AI would be used for storing, secruring, and disseminating data related to researches on tribal culture, language, history, she added. She met chief minister (CM) Hemant Soren on Saturday. Wishing her on behalf of people of the state, the CM said, "I hope you would strengthen tribal languages, culture, and legacy while working as the UNESCO co-chair." Minz has been appointed as the UNESCO co-chair along with Dr Amy Parent of Simon Fraser University for a period of four years. She served as the vice-chancellor of the Sido Kanho Murmu University (SKMU).

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