India has a rich heritage which includes a repository of archaeological treasures and incredible monuments. This cultural history epitomised in heritage monuments stems from a historic past of ancient civilization. Be it the famous forts, the famed temples, architectural beauties including Ajanta, Ellora, Mahabalipuram and many more. Some mad visit tries to erase the pristine beauty from the next generations !! the heritage is to be preserved and passed on to future by a civil society.
According
to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 ( No.
24 of 1958), if someone destroys, removes, injures, alters, defaces, imperils
or misuses a protected monument she/he shall be punishable with imprisonment
which may extend to three months, or with a fine which may extend to five
thousand rupees, or with both.
It is not only
individuals but sometimes groups as well.
A couple of years back, the sanctity of the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram
was violated when thousands of party cadres clambered on to it and hoisted
flags of the party. The fences were uprooted, and the lawn and
entrance gate damaged, sources in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
said. The structure of the shore temple
has weakened due to years of onslaught from sea wind. Scores of people aggravated the damage. A party flag on the Pallava-era lighthouse, a
protected monument and part of the heritage site, did only damage …. !
The Colosseum also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre is an elliptical amphitheater in the centre
of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and stone, it is the largest
amphitheatre in the world, and is considered one of the greatest works of
architecture and engineering.
Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in 70 AD, and was
completed in 80 AD under his successor and heir Titus. The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial
contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts,
executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical
mythology.
Two American
tourists have been arrested for carving initials into the Colosseum in Rome. Before they were spotted, the women, 21 and
25, were able to carve a J and an N into a brick wall on the first floor of the
west side of the Colosseum. After carving the eight-inch high letters, the women posed
together for a selfie. The women, just
two of six million tourists that flock to the Colosseum every year, used a coin
to engrave the letters, La Stampa reported.
They are said to
have broken away from their tour group before - but other tourists saw what had
happened and alerted security. Police charged the women with 'aggravated damage
on building of historical and artistic interest', according to Republica. After they were caught, the women apologized
to Piazza Dante police and Captain Lorenzo Iacobone. They said: 'We apologize
for what we did. We regret it but we did not imagine it was something so
serious.
According to the
Guardian, the section damaged dates back to the 1800s - a key period of
restoration. A spokesman for the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological
Heritage of Rome is quoted as saying: 'It’s not an original wall but it’s
nevertheless antique.' With approximately six million visitors to the Colosseum
each year and ever-increasing staff cuts, policing the site has become a major
problem. Sadly many of the stones bear the unsightly engravings of tourists
keen to leave their mark.
The Californians’
lawbreaking comes little over three months after a Russian tourist was caught
carving a 25cm letter into the Colosseum. The 42-year-old was given a
four-month suspended prison sentence and a €20,000 fine, although owing to a
lack of funds he has not paid the penalty.
Unfortunately,
only penal actions seem to deter people from wrongful deeds !!
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
10th Mar
2015.
