Page 20 - NIS English 16-31 December, 2025

COVER STORY Increased Expenditure on
Cultural Heritage Conservation
Cultural Renaissance
n The Ministry of Culture is implementing Centenaries
and Anniversaries Schemes- Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana,
Development of Museums, Development of Libraries
& Archives, Global Engagement and International Co-
operation, and National Mission on Manuscripts to
From Raja Ram of Orchha to promote and disseminate the art & Culture.
Bhakt Ram of Rameshwaram, from n The Ministry of Culture’s budget, which was r2,164 crore
Shabari’s Prabhu Ram to Mithila’s in 2013-14, has increased to approximately r3,361 crore in
Pahuna Ram Ji. Ram resides in the financial year 2025-26.
every home, in every Indian heart, n Since the inception of the National Mission for
and in every particle of Bharat. Monuments and Antiquities, 12,41,349 antiquities and
11,406 built heritage sites have been documented and
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister published as of July 2025.
655
in assessing the flag’s quality. The flag has
always held special significance in the army, Antiquities have been
and history bears witness that the flag is returned to the country
not only an identity but also a symbol of from 1976 to July 2025,
inspiration, courage, and dedication. This is of which only 13 were
not merely a ritual but also the culmination returned before 2013.
of the journey that began 500 years ago to 3,697
build the Shri Ram Temple. In the Sanatan
tradition, a temple is considered complete Ancient monuments,
only when the flag is hoisted at its peak. archaeological sites,
Therefore, the saffron flag fluttering on the and remains have been
top of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple is declared as of national
giving the message of revolutionary change, importance in the country.
which was awaited for centuries, and now
it will enhance the pride of Indianness for Revival of the Shri Ujjain
many centuries to come. Mahakal Temple Corridor

AYODHYA IN ITS GRAND, DIVINE, n The Mahakal Temple
AND RENEWED FORM in Ujjain is the only
temple in the world
There are two key pillars of building a to house a south-
developed 21st-century India. First, pride facing Shivalinga.
in our heritage, and second, every possible This is why the
effort for development. With this vision, new Mahakaleshwar
projects worth thousands of crores of rupees Jyotirlinga holds
have been realised for the transformation special significance
of Ayodhya. Roads have been improved, among the 12
intersections and ghats have been beautified, Jyotirlingas in India.
and new infrastructure is being created. n The corridor project
In other words, Ayodhya’s development is will expand the
reaching new heights. All temple construction temple complex
work has been completed, including the nearly seven-fold.

18 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || December 16-31, 2025