NEW DELHI: As part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), the celebration of 75 years of Independence, the Indian national flag is being installed at 150 heritage sites under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) throughout states, and these installations will become permanent fixtures. The Survey chose historical buildings based on suggestions from circles (sub offices), which are also decorated with tricolour on this Independence Day.
The officials who are aware of the situation stated that starting on August 13, illuminations will be placed along with "Har Ghar Tiranga" (Tricolor at each house) for just three days, but the Indian tricolour will remain at the locations permanently."Final touches are being given. The director general V Vidyawati is personally monitoring the arrangements and holding meetings with the concerned officials.
As of now, there are no directions for the removal of the flags from heritage sites after the hoisting ceremony on August 15. The flag masts being installed or already installed are not temporary. Or the tricolour will be kept flying at least till the culmination of AKAM-August 2023," said officials, according to the NIE.
The 17th-century tomb of the Mughal royal couple, Taj Mahal, which draws the most tourists in the nation, has been purposefully omitted from the celebration, even though all prominent ASI-protected buildings will sparkle in specially created three-colour lights for the event. The world-famous monument was not included in the list of sites for illumination, according to the officials, because illumination at the marble tomb attracts insects and their excrement degrades the stone.
"Taj Mahal was probably artificially illuminated for the first time for Yanni's musical concert in 1997, which took place on the Yamuna bank behind the monument. It was noticed that lights attract a lot of insects the next morning.
They caused pigmentation on the marble surface. After that the Centre also explored possibilities of lighting up the Taj Mahal at night; a study was conducted after which the idea was dropped. The same issue was also discussed in 2015 when high-mast security lights were installed there," said an official.