You are Aditi /Aditya.You visited the Taj at Agra during the summer break
when the Historical Society of your school organised a trip. You were saddened
and shocked at the attitude of tourists who tend to defile and litter such
important places. Write an article for your school magazine to enlighten the
students on the need to maintain and preserve HISTORICAL SITES and your
suggestions for the same.
Answers
Maintenance and Preservation of Historical Monuments in India
Historical monuments are cultural heritage as well as invaluable resources of a country that the succeeding generations inherit as legacy from their preceding generations.
History is the past record of the deeds of men and women who in the process of evolution left them behind for the coming generations to learn important lessons of life. It is the moral responsibility of the modern generation to keep this record well in order. Our historical monuments are our past heritage bequeathed to us by our ancestors. We must preserve as there are many benefits involved in this preservation.
The first benefit is the cultural benefit. These historical monuments are representations of the architectural skills of the past. With these buildings are associated the folk lore, traditions, and customs of the past which are carried forward along with these buildings. Preservation of the historical monuments is very beneficial. Historic buildings help create vibrant, cultural downtowns that engender tourism, art, festivals, and other activities which in turn draw investment, revenue, and economic growth. A dynamic historic downtown can be the hub of economic activities: a place to shop, invest, create and live. Simultaneously, preservation leads to boosting economy and quality of life. Local inhabitants benefit from rise in demand of services such as boarding, lodging, local transportation, guided travelling, sightseeing, shopping, recreational activities, etc.;
The second benefit of renovating historical monuments is the economic and public benefits that act as powerful tools in sustaining local economy, creating jobs, and even generating capital. The aesthetic, cultural and historical benefits of preservation are well known, but now, communities are realizing that there are positive economic effects also. Can you just imagine how much wealth India earns from foreign tourists that visit Taj Mahal, Delhi, and Rajasthan? Some of the old historical buildings have been converted into heritage hotels. Thousands of people get employment and jobs due to the tourism that is boosted by the preservation of historical monuments.
The third benefit that we derive from such preservations is the positive image that is formed in the eyes of the foreign and local tourists. Well maintained and preserved historical monuments and buildings send a positive message to the visitors about our caring and organized national character. This not only helps in winning over the confidence of the foreigners, but also gives boost to self-confidence. So we must preserve renovate our historical monuments!