CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VOLUME VI (1) Contemporary-Eurasia-VI-1-engl | страница 88

SUBRAMANIAN KRISHNAN MANI
work and for maintenance of the documents. The DG ASI was overall
responsible for monitoring the performance of the Circle in-charge.
We noted the following irregularities in carrying out conservation
works: No mandatory requirements for inspection by Superintending
Archaeologist were prescribed; Non preparation of inspection notes
after site inspection, Absence of complete documentation of the works
estimates, Faulty budgeting of the conservation works resulting in
inclusion of extra items, Delays in completion of works and Non
preparation of completion reports along with photographs after
conservation 54 .
Role of individuals in preservation of monuments
People have always lived next to or in the remains of those who
lived before them. Structures of older cultures or the house of their
grandfather - sometimes seen as old rubbish or source of cheap
building materials - can be places of wonder and stories. Ancient
temples were re-used as churches and mosques, walls disassembled
and used to build houses. A first academic interest in these remains
can maybe be seen in the Renaissance period, when scholars got
interested in the remains of the antiquity.
Some of the steps that we as citizens of this country can follow to
do our share in their protection are:
1. Prevent ourselves and others from scribbling on the walls.
2. Participating in the regular Cleanliness Drives.
3. Being a part of the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ initiative
4. Spreading awareness around about these monuments and their
importance.
In recent times, digitalization has played major parts in the
preservation of precious materials. Making high quality images
available electronically can reduce wear and tear of fragile items.
According to Jones (2001), we live in an increasingly digital world.
Hundreds of libraries, museums and archives have recently launched
projects designed to digitize their collections and place them on the
web. The main reasons to digitize are to enhance assess and improve
preservation. By digitalizing their collections, cultural heritage
54
Ibid.
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