Problems and Prospects

    Heritage belongs to all of us, be it man-made or natural. We are very proud of this heritage as our roots are deeply embedded in it. At the same time we are extremely concerned about it as it is threatened from all quarters, particularly in India and South-East Asia. The Taj is threatened. So are are 30,000 other monuments and more than a million art objects housed in museums in India alone. Even age old traditions, rituals and festivals are steadily losing their values and raison d'etre. And this is true in many other parts of the world as well, for example in West Asia, Africa and South America.

    Human vandalism and atmospheric pollutants are a few of the many agents causing decay and defacement of priceless monuments, antiquities and heritage areas. Lack of proper care, inadequate mobilisation of existing human and economic resources and under-utilization of available expertise are the main hindrances in preserving the heritage. Although the required human resource and technical know-how are available in India yet these are not well organised outside the governmental agencies.

    Those expressing their concern on all these counts met under the banner of the Indian Archaeological Society. This society is a 30 year old non- governmental professional body of archaeologists in India, with Dr. S.P. Gupta, a veteran archaeologist, as its Chairman. It was decided to form a sub-organisation of the Indian Archaeological Society called Heritage Helpmates to fulfill this great need of the hour in preserving the nation's wealth. Heritage Helpmates would provide help and assistance to individuals and organisations, governmental and non-governmental, in their efforts to dig as well as conserve and preserve heritage and not leave it entirely to the government's care. The Indian Archaeological Society is a registered educatioal and charitable institution.