Actor Gajraj Rao’s recent online reflection has sparked vital discourse on cultural preservation. Expressing profound worry, he describes how India’s historic buildings—symbols of bygone eras—are vanishing under the weight of modern development. Havelis, mosques, and palaces, rich with stories, demand urgent care to survive, lest they become relics of regret for posterity.
Rao masterfully juxtaposes India’s scenario with London’s exemplary stewardship. ‘London’s ancient facades are cherished and restored with rigor,’ he states, crediting stringent policies and societal ethos. Indian cities, particularly Delhi, paint a grim picture: heritage sites demolished or left to decay. In Gwalior, he points to salvageable treasures needing only targeted repairs to stand resilient for ages.
His message transcends celebrity advocacy, igniting a movement for heritage consciousness. As urban India races forward, Rao reminds us that progress without preservation is hollow. Stakeholders must act—enforce protections, allocate funds, foster education. Gajraj Rao’s timely intervention could be the catalyst our dhrohar desperately needs.