The Hindu : Offer to help restore monuments

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 09, 2003

International

International

Offer to help restore monuments

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO FEB. 08. India has strongly pushed the case for cultural cooperation in

South Asia as part of the SAARC process and offered help to restore monuments in Sri Lanka.

At the recently-concluded meeting of SAARC culture Ministers here, Bhavnaben

Chikhalia, Minister of State of Cultural Affairs, called upon her counterparts in the region to "find out practical means'' to cement linkages and find ways to "promote our diverse and distinctive art form tradition of cultural expression and spiritual devotion''.

The Minister, who led the Indian delegation, which included the Director of the Archaeological Survey of India and senior Indian officials, also said that India would host the Archaeological Congress of the SAARC countries this November. "Archaeology was one of the strongest means by which we have proved to the world that we have one of the most ancient cultures'' Ms.

Chikhalia said.

Status quo on artefacts

One of the significant subjects discussed during the conference was a proposal, reportedly by Pakistan, that a mechanism be worked out for restitution of all artefacts in the region to their places of origin. The issue, which has its own bilateral implications in the current regional context, was discussed both during the official-level meeting, held on February 3 and 4, and the Ministerial meetings (February 6 and 7). The Indian position - such moves would be difficult and raise sensitive issues that could be avoided, the status quo be maintained and an in-depth study was required before any opinion could be formed - prevailed, with the support of other countries, including host Sri Lanka.

The visiting Minister, who left Colombo for New Delhi on Friday, also offered India's assistance in restoring ancient monuments in Sri Lanka. India, Ms. Chikhalia said in her address to the conference, "will support the idea of the SAARC cultural exchange programme'' and said the country will offer training programmes for scholars in museology, archaeology,

conservation, archives, dance, drama, music and research in culture and

Asian studies.

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