Indian Heritage app and e-Permission portal

 The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has 3696 monuments under protection, which are spread, throughout the country. These monuments not only exhibit the rich cultural heritage of India but also play a significant role in fostering the economical growth. In order to sustain the rich cultural legacy, the heritage sites require time to time enhancement of the amenities. To this end and to further enhance the experience of visitors, ASI launched “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme on 4th September 2023 at Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, New Delhi. Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and DoNER Shri G Kishan Reddy, who attended the launch programme virtually, urged all entities to come forward and help in better upkeep and rejuvenation of India’s rich cultural heritage, in line with the vision of ‘Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi’.

He further said that ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0’ programme seeks to foster collaboration with corporate stakeholders through which they can contribute to preservation of these monuments for the next generations.

 

Under this programme, ASI invites corporate stakeholders to enhance the amenities at the monuments by utilizing their CSR funds. The programme is a revamped version of the earlier scheme launched in 2017 and clearly defines the amenities sought for different monuments as per AMASR Act 1958. The stakeholders can apply for adopting a monument or specific amenities at a monument through a dedicated web portal with URL http://www.indianheritage.gov.in, which contains details of monuments sought for adoption along with gap analysis and financial estimation of amenities. Union Minister of State for Culture Meenakashi Lekhi, Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan and Director General of ASI, K. K. Basa, were present on the occasion.

 

 

Minister of state for Culture, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, elaborates the importance of cultural heritage in shaping the identity.  She said that G20 Presidency is an opportunity to showcase the Cultural heritage of our country. She said that he process for selection will be carried out after due diligence and discussions with various stakeholders and assessing the economic and developmental opportunities at each monument.

 The ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0’ programme seeks to foster collaboration with corporate stakeholders through which they can contribute in preserving these monuments for our upcoming generations”, said the minister. The process for selection will be carried out after due-diligence and discussions with various stakeholders and assessing the economic and developmental opportunities at each monument.

The selected stakeholders will develop, provide and maintain amenities in hygiene, accessibility, safety and knowledge categories. In doing so, they will get an opportunity to be recognized as a responsible and heritage-friendly entity. The term of the appointment will be for a period of five years initially, which may be further extended up to five years.

Further, a user-friendly mobile app, named ‘Indian Heritage’ also launched on the same day, which will showcase the heritage monuments of India. The app will feature state-wise details of monuments along with photographs, list of public amenities available, geo-tagged location and feedback mechanism for citizens. The launch will be in a phased manner, with the ticketed monuments launched in Phase I, followed by the remaining monuments. An e-permission portal, with URL http://www.asipermissionportal.gov.in for obtaining permission for photography, filming and developmental projects on monuments was also launched. The portal will fast-track the process for obtaining various permissions and solve operational and logistical bottlenecks involved.

www.indianheritage.gov.in

www.asipermissionportal.gov.in

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AuthorAID is an online platform

AuthorAID is an online platform and global research community that provides support and resources for researchers and writers, particularly those from developing countries. It was established in 2007 by INASP (International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications), an international development organization focused on strengthening research and knowledge systems in developing countries.

The primary goal of AuthorAID is to enhance the quality and visibility of research from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by offering support and training to researchers, particularly those who face barriers to publishing their work in international journals. The platform achieves this through various means, including online resources, mentoring, workshops, and networking opportunities.
One of the key features of AuthorAID is its online platform, which serves as a hub for researchers to access a wide range of resources. These resources include e-learning courses, writing guides, interactive forums, and webinars on various aspects of research communication. The platform also hosts a directory of mentors who are experienced researchers and writers willing to provide guidance and support to their peers from LMICs.
AuthorAID organizes workshops and training sessions in collaboration with institutions and organizations worldwide. These capacity-building events focus on topics such as research writing, grant proposal development, data analysis, and publication ethics. Workshops are typically conducted by experienced trainers and mentors who help participants develop their research and writing skills, increasing their chances of successfully publishing their work.
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Over the years, AuthorAID has made significant contributions to improving the research output and visibility of scholars from LMICs. By addressing the specific challenges faced by researchers in these countries, the platform helps bridge the gap between local research efforts and the global scientific community. The support and resources provided by AuthorAID have empowered countless researchers to overcome barriers, enhance the quality of their work, and increase its impact.
In summary, AuthorAID is an invaluable resource for researchers and writers from developing countries, offering support, training, and networking opportunities to enhance the quality and visibility of their research. By empowering researchers with the skills and knowledge needed for effective research communication, AuthorAID plays a crucial role in bridging the research divide and promoting equitable global knowledge exchange.