Latest news with #ASI
Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
AIADMK, DMK spar over Keeladi
Chennai: Asserting that did not spend even a paisa for Keeladi archaeological explorations, on Friday accused it of politicising the excavation report submitted by ASI official K Amarnath Ramakrishna. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The DMK rejected the charges, saying DMK govt allotted 27 crore in the last four years for archaeological explorations in 37 places, including Keeladi. Addressing reporters at AIADMK headquarters, former minister Mafoi K Pandiarajan said the previous AIADMK govt was instrumental in the ongoing archaeological explorations and excavations in eight places. The govt acquired 100 acres from farmers amidst unrest and sent artefacts to advanced laboratories in the US, Singapore, and Italy for carbon dating and material analysis. When the Centre hesitated to fund further excavations, former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami stepped in and allocated funds to continue the research by the state archaeology department, and reports were submitted to the Centre, he said. "Only the AIADMK did excavation in Keeladi, while the DMK politicised it," Pandiarajan said, adding that the EPS govt had allotted 105 crore every year. At Anna Arivalayam, DMK medical wing secretary and MLA N Ezhilan told reporters that Pandiarajan's statement that AIADMK allotted 105 crore for Keeladi excavation was a blatant lie. "The AIADMK govt allotted only 55 lakh." When Union govt halted the excavations abruptly in 2016, DMK MP Kanimozhi went to the court. Only after the court directed the resumption of the excavation did the AIADMK govt continue the exercise, he said. "TN people will never forgive EPS for betraying Tamil culture and its ancient heritage," Ezhilan added. Pandiarajan said the previous report on Keeladi findings proved Tamil was a developed writing system 2,500 years ago. The latest report from Ramakrishna outlined a different time bracket, prompting the ASI to ask for clarification. "You must respond. Instead, submitting the paper to (chief minister) Stalin and making him speak is nothing but politics," he said. Pandiarajan said the Union govt was not saying that Tamil was not ancient.
The Print
3 hours ago
- General
- The Print
In a first, court orders attachment of ASI office for non-payment of adequate land compensation
'According to the court, we have not given proper compensation to the villagers from whom we acquired land for the conservation of the site,' said Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu, Joint Director General (monument) and spokesperson of ASI. The matter is related to the land acquisition in Dholavira, a UNESCO heritage site. This Harappan city in Gujarat falls under the Rajkot circle of the ASI. New Delhi: A five-member team of the Principal Senior Civil Judge Court Kutch came to Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) Rajkot circle to attach its office on 11 June. It's the first time in India that a court has ordered the attaching of an ASI office. Sahu said ASI acquired the over 100-acre piece of land in 2004, and then ASI gave compensation. 'But the villagers demanded more and went to the court for it. We have failed to give the amount, so the court ordered the attaching of our circle office,' said Sahu. Dholavira is an important archaeological site at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District. Its name is from a modern-day village a kilometre south of it. The site was accorded UNESCO World Heritage status in July 2021. The site was discovered in 1968 by the archaeologist Jagatpati Joshi. The ASI had started excavating Dholavira in 1989. The site was excavated extensively between 1990 to 2005 under archaeologist RS Bisht. 'Occupied between ca. 3000-1500 BCE, the archaeological site, one of the best preserved urban settlements from the period in Southeast Asia, comprises a fortified city and a cemetery. A sophisticated water management system demonstrates the ingenuity of the Dholavira people in their struggle to survive and thrive in a harsh environment,' reads the UNESCO website. The acquisition was part of efforts to protect and develop the site, an important Indus Valley civilisation site in India. In 2009, ASI started the acquisition of more than 100 acres of land. Also read: ASI's now calling researchers to crack a 100-year-old mystery—Indus Valley script ASI's request On 11 June this year, after the court's ruling, ASI director general requested the court in a written letter to give some time to the department. 'The ASI has demanded a time of 15 days to pay back the money,' said Sahu. 'Today on 11/06/2025, a team of court officials (5 members) led by DP Pandya, Principal Senior Civil Court, Rajkot appeared at Rajkot Divisional Office for seizure of movable property in compliance with the seizure order number Regular Civil Tamil No. 1/2023 to 9/2023 issued by the Hon'ble Court in the Dholavira land acquisition case. Along with this, the opposition lawyer KS Negi and some landowners of Dholavira village were also present. During this, Court Officer DP Pandya had a telephonic discussion with the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India. In this discussion, on the basis of the assurance of the Director General, an agreement was reached for additional 15 days for payment,' reads the letter, which ThePrint has accessed. ThePrint reached out to the superintending archaeologist of Rajkot circle, AMV Subramanyam, but he refused to comment. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
NDTV
4 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Archaeological Body To Host Yoga Event At 81 Historic Sites, Entry Free For All
New Delhi: On the occasion of International Day of Yoga on Friday (June 21), the Archaeological Survey of India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, is set to host Yoga Sessions across 81 centrally protected monuments. As part of the celebrations, entry to all ASI monuments will be free of cost for the public on this day. Aligned with this year's theme of 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', this grand Yoga festival aims to promote the timeless connection between India's cultural heritage and ancient wellness practices. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 'Mann Ki Baat' address in March 2025, the theme underscores Yoga's role in fostering harmony not only within ourselves but also with the environment. Thousands of participants will come together to practise Yoga at iconic historical sites such as Purana Qila (Delhi), Gol Gumbaz (Karnataka), Konark Sun Temple (Odisha), Chittorgarh Fort (Rajasthan), Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra) and 76 other historical places under ASI. These sessions will underscore the importance of holistic health and environmental consciousness deeply rooted in yogic philosophy. The celebrations will witness the presence of the Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah at Adalaj Vav, Ahmedabad; Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri at Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi; Minister of Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal at Kanheri Caves, Mumbai; Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi at Group of temples at Pattadakal along with other key dignitaries across different locations. The main event will be held in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and will be graced by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. It will be live-streamed across India, where Yoga celebrations are being conducted. Yoga is one of the many gifts India has given to the world, and recognising its significance, the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, during the session of the General Assembly.
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Parse Keezhadi findings without political pulls
The Keezhadi debate has returned to dominate political discourse in Tamil Nadu. The village in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district, located about 12 km from Madurai, is an archaeological treasure trove. Findings from the site have suggested that an urban civilisation and language was thriving near Vaigai river as early as 580 BCE, upending previously accepted theories regarding the emergence of civilisation in the subcontinent. However, as the latest eruption of controversy suggests, the journey forward from these discoveries has been far from straightforward. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently asked the archaeologist who led the first two seasons of excavation at the site to answer some fresh questions and revise the report he had submitted in 2023. Amarnath Ramakrishna, the archaeologist who was transferred out before the third season in 2017, refused to revise his report. As political parties in TN took up the cudgels to defend his report, the Union minister of culture called for more scientific proof to validate the findings. The DMK accused the BJP of attempting to suppress Tamil identity, history and culture, and had its students' wing mount protests demanding the report's release. The contentions hark back to 2017, when Ramakrishna was transferred to Guwahati and the ASI conducted one more season of excavation before stopping work at the site. The next seven seasons of digging were conducted by the state archaeological department.
United News of India
6 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
ASI waives off monument fees for Yoga Day participation
New Delhi, Jun 21 (UNI) In order to ensure maximum participation of people on International Day of Yoga on June 21, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Union Ministry of Culture has waived off the entry fee at all its centrally protected monuments across the country. While the main event at Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh will be led by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet Ministers will join Yoga enthusiasts at various historical sites where the ASI in collaboration with Union Ministry of Ayush, has planned to host yoga sessions. At least 81 centrally protected monuments have been identified for the session including historical sites such as Purana Qila (Delhi), Gol Gumbaz (Karnataka), Konark Sun Temple (Odisha), Chittorgarh Fort (Rajasthan), Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra) and 76 other historical places under ASI. The celebrations will witness the presence of the Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah at Adalaj Vav, Ahmedabad; Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri at Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi; Union Minister of Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal at Kanheri Caves, Mumbai. Likewise, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi will join yoga enthusiasts at Group of temples at Pattadakal along with other key dignitaries across different locations. 'These sessions will underscore the importance of holistic health and environmental consciousness deeply rooted in yogic philosophy,' said ASI in a statement here. Welcoming the initiative, Dr (Prof) Daljit Singh, a neurosurgeon and former Head of Department of Neurosurgery at GB Pant Hospital, Delhi said that 'waiving off the entry fees to ASI-protected monuments on International Day of Yoga is an excellent way to encourage more people to connect with the cultural heritage of India while celebrating yoga. 'Monuments and heritage sites are often places of serenity, which can complement the peaceful and meditative nature of yoga,' he added. Aligned with this year's theme of 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'- this grand yoga festival aims to promote the timeless connection between India's cultural heritage and ancient wellness practices. UNI AJ RKM
