In today’s article of “The Unconventional Industry”, we are here with a career in the field of archaeology, heritage and culture preservation. Globally, India owns a rich heritage constitutes the repository of archaeological wealth and incredible monuments symbol of the rich cultural history of past ancient civilization. Some of the monuments now declared as World Heritage Monuments like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri in Agra,  Khajuraho Temples, Mahabalipuram Monuments, Thanjavur, the Konark Sun Temple, the Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta Caves, etc.

Archaeologist studied human culture through the recovery, analysis, documentation of environmental data and material, like inscriptions, landscapes, monuments, edifices, artefacts, seals and bio-facts. Most of the archaeologist work at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Department of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the organization work for the preservation and protection of the cultural heritage of the country and the archaeological researches, like exploration, excavation, epigraphy, pre-history and museum branches maintenance, etc.

 

Scope for the Startup Community in the Heritage Preservation Industry:

The aim of the archaeology is to extend the insight – investigation of physical remains of the distant past, related to the creators of the human culture. The existence was only be founded by the excavation, that is no longer in existence but facts got through the excavation. Lots of monuments getting damaged and fading with the time, the reason being the weather, dust. The monuments losing their charm, attraction and original character. The startup community can help the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to overcome various challenges conservation of our cultural heritage.

 

“Vizara Technologies have pitched their idea to the government. The ministry of culture, Archaeological Survey of India and even the external affairs ministry can use their models in their embassies to show people who come to get visas. On the screen, you feel as if you are going to the temple in the path you have chosen. It’s called a mixed reality interface. You don’t have to actually be in the monument. You can be far away and experience it,” – Vizara Technologies.

 

Conservation of our cultural heritage and to ensure the stability there is a need for scientific research in conservation with a deep knowledge of constituent materials, architectural characteristics, and production techniques, state of decay which could be induced and is inducing its decay. In this field, if we use technology which could be limited to the use of unskilled labour instead of skilled. With the use of technology in the field could be a saviour in the conservation of cultural heritage. Most of the biggest companies in the field using traditional methods, they’re not indulged in the technology using standard methods over the years.

“For corporates, whether or not to work with startups is an important decision. Partnering with young companies will help them keep pace with the innovation in the market.” – GV Ravishankar, Managing Director, Sequoia Capital.

 

The startup community with innovation and technology can easily cope up with the various challenges by taking necessary steps in the conservation of cultural heritage and unique symbols of our civilizations over the centuries, without any major intervention in altering or modifying the original character authenticity.

 

CSR in Heritage Preservation Industry:

Funding in the Natural and Heritage Preservation Industry plays a crucial role. But in general, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes are much of concern about the projects, such as education, water, poverty alleviation and other potential focus areas. The corporates are not aware of the Heritage Art and Culture, only 13% companies invested in the programme, the companies are not aware of the advantages of taking out such programmes. The investing figure in the Heritage Art and Culture is very nominal in comparison to Healthcare and educational and skill development programmes which are 71% and 84%.

ONGC, Indian Oil, NTPC, Tata Motors and GAIL are some public sector companies investing in the programme and adopting monuments for conservation. The government should use this CSR funding in the making of the startup in this field. The startup alone is not able to invest such a huge amount in the technology. The government should initiate in this field and start programmes for the startups to aware them in this field and guides them. Innovation and technology of the startup and the guidance provided by the government would be the best combination to the conservation of cultural heritage and unique symbols. 

 

Challenges in the Heritage Preservation Industry:

As of now, there are no lots of startup in this field of archaeology. Startup commencement in this field is not an easy road for the startups to enter easily. They have to pitch the idea in front of Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India, and then the government will decide further. It’s not easy to coordinate the startup with the existing companies for years. If the companies are getting the projects by using the standard way for years, why the company would adopt the latest technology? In this situation, it is a quite difficult task for the startup to explain the use and benefits of technology.

In this field also there is no margin for any type of error in the startup’s technology. The accuracy should be a strong factor for the startup, such as concrete cultural objects. Demand for archaeologists is high in India, as the country has rich cultural heritage. The startups in this field with the latest technology can be a big help to our government in saving our rich cultural heritage. A small error will not be entertained in the field, so the startup should have the concrete strong factor to survive.

Awareness Play Important Role in Youth:

The government should initiate the programmes in school and make them aware of our rich heritage culture. The school kids have the special duty towards increasing awareness and protecting the rich cultural heritage which is a part of the glorious history of our country. If someone tries to destroy, removes, injures, alters, defaces, imperils or mistreats a preserved monument shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with a fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

People should be aware to protect our heritage and cultural monuments instead of doing an irreparable damage to invaluable archaeological masterpieces, inscribe their initials, names, places, addresses or messages on these national treasures. The youth, the future of the nation should learn to protect our heritage.

For customised market research reports for any kind of startups and business in any industry, you can contact Craft Driven Market Research team here directly.

Tags: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Craft Driven, Craft Driven Market Research, CSR, heritage and culture preservation, Heritage Art and Culture, market research, Sequoia Capital, The Unconventional Industry, Vizara Technologies