Modi’s Swatch Bharat Campaign spurs ASI
ASI Efforts Doubled up with Swachh Bharat Campaign Promoted by the PM
Heritage Week is being celebrated by the ASI or Archaeological Survey of India from 19th November to 25th November. Along with the weeklong celebrations, ASI or the Archaeological Survey of India has also decided to sweep and clean seven heritage sites. These celebrations have further rekindled with the Swachh Bharat Campaign launched by the Prime Minister regarding cleaning of the country. This time, the officials working with the ASI have also laid a lot of emphasis on cleaning up the heritage sites. A great number of volunteers are also signing up for this campaign as informed by the Superintending Archaeologist, K Lourdusamy taking care of the ASI Chennai Circle.
The volunteer students from Dhanlakshmi Engineering College have helped immensely with the cleaning up of Mamallapuram. 50 more students will be soon joining ASI officials. These students will help in various Heritage Week celebrations. Photo exhibitions will also be organized with the help of these volunteers at various sites. This year, ASI has chosen seven heritage sites for cleanup. These sites are Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tirumayam Fort area in Pudukottai, Dharasuram in Thanjavur, Fort St George, Mammallapuram group of monuments and Gingee Fort in Villupuram.
The students, yogis and Archaeological Survey of India officials will work to remove vegetation and weeds at Fort St George that has engulfed the North Western part of the walls of the rampart and the areas surrounding it. The area has been inspected and the officials have outlined the plan of cleaning the same. There is a lot of debris and garbage in this area that needs to be cleared. This way, several historic and heritage landmarks will be cleaned all across the country. Indian people lay a lot of emphasis on safeguarding their rich heritage and this endeavor of ASI officials, along with the volunteers is certainly a positive step in the direction.
The SA, ASI, Chennai Circle further explained that if this overgrowing vegetation is not cleared, it may result in the weakening of the structure of the fort over a period of time. The entire process will be carried out in a periodic and systematic manner. This step is definitely going to restore heritage properties and sites in the best possible manner.
Archaeological Survey of India, ASI, ASI Chennai Circle, Brihadeeswarar Temple, Dhanlakshmi Engineering College, Dharasuram in Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Swachh Bharat Campaign, Tirumayam Fort area in Pudukottai
