It is as though India has only one thing on its agenda ? politics and elections. But if you step out, away from your ?base?, life with many other energies continues. It was most refreshing to meet a group of young conservation architects at a retreat where intense discussion about heritage and its conservation was the only issue. The mindset in this area has moved forward, breaking through the old notion of preservation, be it in the realm of buildings and monuments, skills and tradition or the natural environment.
Recently, one was fortunate enough to participate in a debate of how to set the new parameter for preservation of our inheritance with the intention of taking it into a new age. Pride can be interpreted in different ways but true pride is when we do not use it as a tool to spread a convoluted interpretation of nationalism. If India could respect its tradition and heritage and fuse it into the future, we would emerge as a truly powerful nation. It is that special ethos which has been corroded over the years because of neglect. Neither did the government take this area seriously nor did the corporate sector see its critical importance.
In other countries that have far less diversity, pride in what they have inherited is of primary import. It is zealously protected and nurtured. It becomes the foundation of all business. The United States is possibly the best example ? a comparatively ?new? nation that treats its spaces and institutions with care. Some of the greatest international philanthropy foundations were born in America where wealthy and successful business families created institutions to reach out to their fellow men and women. They supported fresh and untested ideas and philosophies and backed the human spirit that endeavoured to think beyond the established paradigms. It is that which makes America a lively continent with great institutions.
In Britain and Europe the same attitude has prevailed for decades. There is a sanctity in endorsing their past strengths, their history. In Japan there is a fine tradition of honouring their ?living treasures?. Malaysia protects whatever it can. New Zealand and Australia guard their natural environment like one would a rare gem. There is no argument on these issues ? heritage is the foundation for the future and the wealth that each generation holds in trust for the next.
In India we are just plain callous. It is the royal ?we?, the people, governments, and the private sector. We do not seem to be bothered about the fact that our cities, towns, historic monuments, fine skills and diverse natural environment are all being mutilated by us and us alone. No invader has infiltrated this country to desecrate its strengths. We have to place the blame on ourselves for the destruct. Immediately post-independence, there were men and women in the Civil Service who comprehended fully the need to restore and protect the many cultures of our land. Five decades later, all we have to show is the lack of understanding of this critical area.
The administrative service has, in many instances, led the deterioration. The ?beautification? quick fix, a superficial and unthinking norm, has dominated the last few decades. Our greatest treasures are crumbling, our vibrant skills are dying and the earth that is India is being vandalised. Is it because those who rule and those who are privileged do not see immediate lucrative gain in conservation? Are those who sit on the top of the pile simply selfish? Strangely, that is the class in India that has aped the West unconditionally. Why then did they not follow blindly, the broad cultural mandate that western countries had given themselves and abided by with religious ferocity?
I have always been puzzled by the fact that the forces of the new ?ism?, , have never marched to Varanasi to clean the ghats. If only they would put their energies into positive practice instead of negative rhetoric. Do they not care for their heritage? Are they merely concerned with banning meat and alcohol at ?religious? venues while the venue itself is falling apart? Have they no concern or commitment to the plurality of this great sub-continent? And why does the government permit all of this? Why does it not ?ban? this negative flood that is overwhelming us all and allow the poor their protein intake? Despite a careless and, therefore, destructive authority that dominates and intrudes in life and living here, it was truly heartening to meet young and dedicated men and women, professional conservationists, all charged up and raring to go. The only thing that still stands in their path is an ?authority? they have to deal with at each step, that is not inclusive, that does not care enough and has no clue how to deliver the goods. That is the stumbling block.