Page 30 - NIS English 16-31 December, 2025
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COVER STORY                      Scientific Investigation of
                                                          Dwarka and Bet Dwarka
                    Cultural Renaissance
                                                           The Underwater Archaeology Wing of the Archaeological

        The Union Cabinet, in its resolution on            Survey of India resumed the scientific investigation of
                                                           Dwarka and Bet Dwarka in February 2025 and March
        the consecration of  Shri Ram Lalla in                                     2025, respectively. Previous
        Ayodhya, stated, “The nation gained                                        scientific investigations were
                                                                                   conducted between 2005
        independence in 1947, and the                                              and 2007. Remotely operated
        consecration took place on January 22,                                     vehicles, underwater cameras,
        2024.” The resolution stated that the                                      life jackets, and specialised
                                                                                   diving gear have been
        Prime Minister has, through his actions,                                   purchased for this purpose.
        boosted the nation’s morale and

        strengthened the country’s cultural history.      Models of the Ram Temple and Ram
                                                          Darbar Icons… Bids up to r51 lakh
                                                          The public’s faith and belief  in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, a site of
                                                          India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance, can be gauged
        India since 2014. This certification is a signifi-  by the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi received bids of  up to
        cant step toward global acknowledgement of        r51 lakh to take home the model of  the Ram Temple and Ram
        Indian culture and the revival of Indian cultur-  Darbar gifted to him.
        al  heritage.  Today,  India  is  forging  a  distinct   n Over 9,000 gifts and souvenirs have been auctioned so
        global  identity  as  a  new  economic-strategic    far, with a model of the Ram Temple among the top 15.
        powerhouse as well as a hub of information,       n The 143 mementos that fetched bids of over r5 lakh
        science,  and  culture,  all  while  conserving  its   include models of the Ram Temple and 15 Ram Darbar.
        cultural heritage.                                  There were also several models whose bids started at
                                                            r5,000-r6,000.
        RESTORING CULTURAL PRIDE                          n Of the top 100 that fetched the highest price in the
        In the last 11 years, Indian cultural, spiritual,   E-auction of PM Modi’s gifts, 35 relate to religious and
        and historical glory has been restored. India       cultural identities. All of these were bid for over r10
        has  achieved  an  unprecedented  feat  in          lakh.
        preserving and assimilating cultural heritage.
        Indian culture got global recognition in 2014,     Bought a Ram Temple model for r51 lakh
        the  day  the  world  accepted  Prime  Minister                      A wooden model of the Ram
        Narendra Modi’s proposal and recognized                              Temple, housed in a glass case,
        International Yoga Day. The colonial mindset                         depicts it on a raised platform
        was visible for about 7 decades after indepen-                       at the birthplace of Lord Ram.
        dence, so the necessary steps to preserve the                        The sanctum sanctorum and five
        cultural heritage were not taken.                                    pavilions are depicted, with a small
          During the colonial period, foreign invaders                       red triangular flag placed atop the
        caused  a  lot  of  damage  to  Indian  culture.                     spire. It was auctioned in 2021
                                                                             for r51 lakh, with bids starting
        Historical treasures and heritage stolen or        at r2.5 lakh. Another model attracted 81 bidders. This
        looted from India are being brought  back to       Ram Temple model went for over 11.85 lakh rupees, with
        India. As the leader of a government imbued        bidding starting at just 10,800 rupees. Another model,
        with a complete Indian mindset, Prime Minister     which started at 5,400 rupees, was purchased for over
        Modi has not only preserved the culture and        10.85 lakh rupees. 103 people bid for it.
        tradition  by  becoming  the  pioneer  of  Indian


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