DHARWAD: As many as 73 monuments have been preserved at a cost of Rs. 10 crores with the grants released through the 11th Finance Commission, R. Gopal, Director, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has said.

Exhibition opens

Presiding over the inaugural function of the month-long exhibition of the photographs depicting the architectural heritage of the State and a workshop here on Friday, he said under the grants of 12th Finance Commission, works on preservation of 118 monuments have begun.

Dr. Gopal said that the directorate had chalked out a plan to take up documentation of statues, idols, inscriptions, monuments and archaeological remains. The project requires a funding of Rs. 3 crores for which a proposal has been submitted to the Union Government, he said.

The directorate is conducting district-level conferences in an attempt to create awareness about history among the general public. Already programmes have been conducted in Kolar, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Gadag district. A similar programme will be organised in Dharwad district in June or July, he said.

`Duty of citizens'

Inaugurating the exhibition, Venkateshaiah, Superintendent, Archaeological Survey of India, Dharwad Zone, said it is the duty of every citizen to preserve the monuments as they tell us about the history, heritage and culture.

S.V. Padigar, Head, Department Ancient History and Epigraphy, Karnatak University, said the monuments speak of the heritage and thus create awareness among the public and the students.

Surveys sought

R.M. Shadaksharaiah, Head, Kannada Samshodhana Samsthe, Karnatak University, underscored the need for carrying out surveys of monuments in every village of the State. Along with documentation, the monuments on the verge of extinction should be preserved, he said. S.K. Potnis, deputy director of the department, welcomed the gathering. G.P. Kaladagi proposed a vote of thanks.

The month-long exhibition is being held at the office of the Department of Archaeology and Museums situated near the Open Air Theatre in Dharwad.

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