July 06, 2003 06:08 IST
http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jul/06bhim.htm ===============================================
India's ancient cultural heritage gained further recognition on Thursday, July 3, when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation declared the rock shelters of Bhimbetka, near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, a world heritage site.
Bhimbetka is one of 24 sites from around the world that have been added to the UNESCO's prestigious list of world heritage sites, bringing the number of such sites to 754. These comprise "149 natural, 582 cultural, and 23 mixed sites of outstanding universal value", a UNESCO statement said.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Jagmohan welcomed the decision and said it was another feather in the country's cap.
rediff.com Deputy Managing Editor Vaihayasi P Daniel had visited Bhimbetka five years ago. Click here to read her travelogue about 'The Caveman's Easel'
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It is wonderful! But nowehere is it mentioned that the man
who discovered these paintings was none other than V.S. Wakankar of
the Sarasvati River fame. His name is taboo to the media because he
is considered part of the 'Hindutva' scholars group.
This brings up an interesting issue. all important
discoveries of the last few decades have been by such scholars -- from Wakankar to
N. Jha -- said to be 'communalists'. The secularist scholars on the other
hand have only been engaged in publicity gimmicks like "saffronization,"
using SAHMAT like platforms!
This point should increasingly be highlighted. We also need
a memorial program ofr conference on Wakankar's contributions.
NS RAJARAM
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Wakankar Indological / Cultural Research Trust
Run by Mrs. Leela V. Wakankar (President) .
Address:
Bharati Kala Bhavan, Varahmihir marg,
Madhavnagar, Ujjain, MP 456010, India
Email :
syash@rediffmail.com Tel: 91 - 734- 513044
http://members.rediff.com/wakankar/ Offline links :1. Meeting Wakankar
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/people/pioneers/wakankar.htm 2. Pre Historic Rock Paintings of Bimbiketa :
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/rockpain/betaka.htm ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Yes, indeed. His contributions are magnificent. An annual conference
on Rock art is held in Ujjain, in his museum managed by his wife
Smt. Lakshmi.
Bhimbetka is the link to Nahali language, not far from there, on the
banks of River Tapati, about 60 kms. west of Indore." ---- "S.Kalyanaraman"
kalyan97@yahoo.com 
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