by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
Lucknow : In a damage control exercise after a BJP MLA’s comments on the Taj Mahal sparked outrage, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said the famed monument in Agra was a part of Indian heritage.
Adityanath also told the media that the 17th century marble monument, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, was constructed “by the blood and sweat of Indian labourers”. An official said the Chief Minister will also visit the Taj.
“It does not matter who built it and for what reason. It was built by the blood and sweat of Indian labourers,” Adityanath said of the Taj, India’s biggest tourist draw.
“Taj Mahal is a part of India’s heritage,” he went on. “Taj Mahal, Red Fort are all part of India’s heritage.”
The statement came after Uttar Pradesh BJP legislator Sangeet Som called the Taj Mahal a blot on Indian culture and said it was built by an emperor who wanted to finish off Hindus.
“We should not focus on Som’s statement,” the Chief Minister said, in the clearest sign that his Bharatiya Janata Party government in Uttar Pradesh was distancing itself from the MLA’s controversial remarks.
Adityanath said the Taj was important for the Uttar Pradesh government, specially “from the tourism perspective” and “it is our priority to provide facilities and safety to tourists there”.
Adityanath is scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and other important monuments in Agra on October 26, an official told IANS.
Considered one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj attracts millions of Indian and foreign tourists every year.
Last month, the Uttar Pradesh government had omitted references to the Taj in a booklet published to mark six months of the Adityanath government.
This drew sharp criticism, prompting Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi to say that that Taj Mahal was of great importance to the state government and to the nation.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
BJP leader Sangeet Som
Noida : BJP leader Sangeet Som has triggered controversy by saying the Taj Mahal is a “blot” on Indian culture and misquoted history by saying that Shah Jahan, builder of the 17th century marble mausoleum, had jailed his father and wanted to wipe out Hindus from the country.
The remarks by the Sardhana MLA in Meerut came after the Uttar Pradesh government removed the Taj Mahal from the list of attractions in its tourism booklet.
“Many people were disappointed that the Taj Mahal was removed from the UP tourism booklet. What history are we talking about? Whose history?
“The creator of the Taj Mahal (Shah Jahan) imprisoned his father. He wanted to wipe out all Hindus from India. If these people are part of our history, then it is very unfortunate.
“I guarantee you that we will change this history,” Som was shown saying in an undated viral video, apparently addressing a public gathering.
TV reports said the BJP leader was addressing a gathering in Meerut.
Som wrongly quoted history saying Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had jailed his father. It was Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb who had dethroned and jailed his father inside the Agra Fort.
The Taj, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Economy, News
Agra : (IANS) Entry tickets for the Taj Mahal and other historical monuments in Agra will now cost more.
A foreign visitor to the Taj will now pay Rs,1,000, up from Rs.750. Domestic tourists will shell out Rs.40 a ticket, instead of Rs.20 earlier.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) announced the new rates on Thursday, to be effective from April 1.
Tourists will also pay more for tickets to Sikandra, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Etmauddaula and other lesser known monuments.
The Taj, built in the 17th century, is India’s biggest tourist draw.
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Markets, Technology
Agra: (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav marked Independence Day on Saturday by launching the official Twitter account of the 17th century Taj Mahal.
The Uttar Pradesh Tourism said the Taj had become the first historical monument in the world to have its own Twitter account.
Tourism industry sources here said the Twitter handle will help have a better interaction with tourists and the feedback would help address grievances.
Introducing the page, the tourism department said: “The official Twitter handle of the world’s most loved monument, located in Agra. One of the wonders of the world.”
The page claimed there were two types of people: “Those who have visited me and follow me here and those who haven’t seen me and yet follow me here.”
Within an hour, it had more than 2,000 followers.
