Latest news with #CentralAdvisoryBoardofArchaeology
New Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
ASI steps in to promote masons, skilled workers
NEW DELHI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) may come up with a mechanism to facilitate and promote traditional masons and skilled workers — who are engaged in the restoration and conservation of heritage sites. This would help in sustaining their livelihoods and preserving traditional masonry techniques. During the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology, the secretary of the ministry of culture Vivek Aggarwal proposed to support traditional artists and sculptors associated with heritage work as creative start-ups. He noted that such a move would not only promote traditional skills but ensure employment opportunities. One of the proposals is to market their skill and work. According to ASI officials involved in the upkeep of historical buildings, many traditional craftsmen engaged by the agency remain out of work for several months each year due to various factors, including weather conditions and administrative delays. Officials said that the survey is considering ways to help these artisans survive and continue practicing—and passing on—their professional skills. 'Intricate conservation work requires a lot of traditional workers. But they have no work during the rainy season, as all activity stops. There is also no activity while estimates and proposals are being prepared and approved. As a result, there is effectively no work for them for 4 to 6 months each year. In these circumstances, many skilled traditional workers are leaving the field and turning to other occupations. Our concern is how we can keep them engaged and ensure they are properly paid,' said officials.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Doing our best to minimise dent on J&K tourism: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said some people with nefarious intentions have tried to again "incite separatism and terrorism" in the Valley and asserted that his ministry will do the best to "minimise the dent" on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology (CABA) here, he said he and his office are in "continuous touch" with the chief secretary and the tourism secretary of the Union Territory and keeping an eye on the situation. Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and injuring several others. The deceased included two foreigners -- from the UAE and Nepal -- and two locals. The entire nation is pained and feeling hurt in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam yesterday, and loss of many innocent lives in it, Shekhawat said. "This cowardly incident has hurt our sentiments. But, some people with their nefarious intention, have tried to incite separatism and terrorism in Kashmir again," he told reporters. The Union Culture and Tourism Minister also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his foreign visit and returned home, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar, putting off his other works, and "their stand on this attack, clearly demonstrates India's and the prime minister's zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism". And, as they have both said, it will be ensured that each and every person responsible for this attack will get the "harshest punishment," Shekhawat said. "Earlier, through surgical and air strikes, India has sent a message to the world that anti-India activities, whether emanating from Indian soil or from outside the country, India will not tolerate it now," he said. Asked if he has approached the Jammu and Kashmir government and tourism department authorities in the wake of the attack, Shekhawat said, "I am in touch with everybody, my office too, my secretary is also in touch with the tourism secretary in Jammu and Kashmir, the chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir". "We are in continuous touch and keeping an eye on that. And, we will do our best to minimise the dent on tourism in Kashmir, because of this incident, and tourism across the country," he said.
