gajendra singh shekhawat

The family of Niraj Udhwani, killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, expressed their grief and anger as Union Minister gajendra singh shekhawat arrived to pay respects. A family member confronted the minister, citing the government's failure to ensure citizen safety. Amidst condolences from dignitaries, Niraj's inconsolable mother and wife, Ayushi, mourned at the crematorium.

The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra have been inscribed in Unesco’s Memory of the World Register, marking a significant recognition of India’s civilisational legacy. Union Minister gajendra singh shekhawat hailed this as a historic moment, emphasizing their role as philosophical and aesthetic foundations.

The Taj Mahal has consistently been the highest revenue-generating monument under ASI protection through ticket sales over the last five years. In financial year FY23-24, Delhi's Qutub Minar and Red Fort followed as significant earners.

The Taj Mahal remains the top ASI-protected monument in India with an impressive income of over Rs 297 crore from ticket sales between 2019-20 and 2023-24. Other notable monuments include Agra Fort, the Sun Temple, Golconda Fort, and Mamallapuram's group of monuments.

The Archaeological Survey of India is actively coordinating with local authorities to protect the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Maharashtra's Khuldabad. Measures include installing 12 feet high metal sheets, concertina wire, deploying private security, and regular inspections to prevent potential damage due to threats from extremist groups.

Union culture minister gajendra singh shekhawat suggested that symbols of colonial heritage or past invaders that insult India's heritage and culture may be reviewed and removed from the protected monuments list. He refused to comment specifically on Aurangzeb’s tomb, citing adherence to the law protecting all notified monuments.

During the lockdown, Renu Hussain had arranged a virtual Eid meet-up to ensure the tradition continued.

Maharashtra Minister Shambhuraj Desai stated that Shiv Sena has requested the Union government to revoke the protected monument status of Aurangzeb’s tomb. This follows recent unrest and violence in Nagpur. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the grave's protection while rejecting any glorification of Aurangzeb, emphasizing instead the glorification of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The number of foreigners visiting India for medical purposes has risen steadily post-pandemic, reaching nearly 6.6 lakh in 2023. Also, foreign tourist arrivals in the first half of 2024 showed 90% recovery compared to the same period in 2019, indicating a strong rebound.

Renowned Hindustani classical singer, Shamit Tyagi created history at the Maha Kumbh on February 21 with a groundbreaking choir performance. The only choir to perform at the holy event delivered a mesmerizing hour-long showcase of semi-classical and classical compositions.