Indian government initiative through students to protect monuments

The Union Ministry of Culture has decided to involve school students in the campaign against vandalisation of monuments. As a part of this initiative, school children across the country will take an oath on 19th November every year. A symbolic beginning is being made this year itself with school children of Delhi taking the oath at Red Fort, Delhi on 19th November, 2007. World Heritage Week is celebrated from 19th to 25th November every year to create awareness about the rich cultural heritage of the country among the general public, students and children. According to the new plan approved by the Minister of Tourism & Culture Smt. Ambika Soni, schools will be requested to administer the oath to their children. If possible, they should take the children to a monument in their vicinity and administer the oath there. If not, they should administer the oath in the school premises and organize at least one visit of their students to a monument during the World Heritage Week. The Superintending Archaeologists of all the Circles of the Archaeological Survey of India would be instructed to render necessary help to schools in arranging the oath taking/ students visits.

Following is the draft of the oath to be administered to the students:

“I will not scribble on, deface or encroach upon any monument.
I will respect all monuments, which are a part of my country’s heritage
I will render all possible help to conserve and preserve our heritage.”
During the World Heritage Week, in addition to the above, outreach programmes will be organized through the Circles. These can take any of the following forms :

(i) Painting contests

(ii) Debates

(iii) Essay contests

(iv) Cultural programmes

(v) Talks on preservation of monuments

(vi) Guided tours for school students

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities has, in its charter, the task of awareness creation regarding heritage preservation and formulation of public and student outreach schemes for this purpose. The Minister of Tourism & Culture, Smt. Ambika Soni, has asked the Mission to initiate action in this regard.



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