Excavations, manpower, training, conservation, collaboration discussed at CABA meeting

Matters pertaining to excavations, manpower, training, conservation, collaboration with universities among other issues were discusse at the CABA meeting

NewsBharati    15-Jun-2022 11:55:31 AM
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New Delhi, Jun 15: Union Culture and Tourism Minister, G Kishan Reddy chaired the 37th Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology ( CABA ) held in New Delhi, on Jun 15. The meeting was attended by Arjun Ram Meghwal, MoS for Ministry of Culture and Parliamentary Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS for Ministry of Culture and External Affairs.
 
 
CABA
 
 
For the meeting, 15 Representatives from various States and UTs, 4 Ex Director Generals of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Director General of ASI along with officials of Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India were present. Speaking on the occasion, Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy informed the house that the Union Government in Budget speech 2020 and 2021 declared 5 sites of significant cultural importance iconic sites, these sites are being developed as per international norms – Rakhigarhi (Haryana), Hastinapur (UP), Dholavira (Gujarat), Sibsagar (Assam) and Adichanallur(Tamil Nadu).
 
 
 
 
 
He highlighted that India recently got elected as member of World Heritage Committee of UNESCO for a four year term from 2021 to 2025 and also as many as 9 new sites; including the site of Nalanda Mahavihara Bihar, historic city of Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kakatiya Rudrappatemple of Telangana, Dholavira in Gujarat, got inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage sites which takes India’s count to 40 in UNESCO World Heritage list. He further stated that 241 antiquities are now being brought back to India of which 228 were brought back since 2014 from various countries like USA, Australia, UK, Singapore, France and others and also excavations were done at sites like Sinauli, Vadnagar, Kodumanal, Gottiporulu. Informing about the work of the Epigraphy wing the minister said that more than 3500 inscriptions across the country were discovered and deciphered.
 
The Minister added that govt is working on an amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 to make it more "flexible and friendly.” He asked for an active participation of ASI in the the ‘Har Ghar Jhanda’ campaign for 75th Independence day celebrations. The minister added that a good opportunity is coming for India when it will be hosting G20 countries, the meeting will take place in important places that will include ASI sites also. During the meeting 42 resolutions from members were deliberated. Matters pertaining to excavations, manpower, training, conservation, collaboration with universities among other issues were discussed.