​Who is ruining Agra? If you find the answer, do let us know because we are confused. Many residents believe that on one side, there is a group of elected representatives, and on the other, a battalion of bureaucrats who together are squeezing Agra dry.

The Agra Municipal Corporation has announced its decision to honour the sacrifices of India’s brave soldiers by building a grand war memorial in the city. This historic decision comes after relentless efforts by citizens and activists, particularly members of the River Connect Campaign, who first submitted a memorandum to the municipal commissioner in January 2023.

The 10-day-long Taj Mahotsav, a celebration of Agra’s art, culture, and heritage, has become a permanent fixture on the city’s event calendar. However, despite its long tenure and fanfare, the festival’s effectiveness in attracting foreign tourists and its overall impact on the local tourism industry remain subjects of debate.

In Agra city’s heart, Maal Ka Bazaar, Kashmiri Bazaar, Sev Ka Bazaar, and the notorious Basai Village once thrived in nocturnal vibrance, echoing with music.

Agra has been a victim of injustice and neglect. From the pair of bulls to the cycle, neither Maya nor Ram.

The Taj City has become a hub of Homeopathy treatment, with a dozen local Homeopaths getting international recognition for their pioneering efforts. A Prestigious German group recently honoured Dr Pradip Gupta, who runs the Neminath Homeopathy Hospital.

A city on the brink, Agra now teeters on the edge of a disaster. The spectre of Bhopal's tragic legacy looms large, as the city's industrial landscape, marked by lax safety standards and regulatory apathy, poses a grave threat to its residents.

Early Sunday morning in smoggy conditions, an 18-year-old youth was running alongside trucks and buses on the busy Yamuna Kinara road. When stopped for a brief chat, he expressed his frustration, "When there are no free playgrounds or open spaces, where should we practice running and stamina building for competitions?

More than a quarter century has passed after the 1994 intervention of the Supreme Court to make Agra safe for the Taj Mahal and other heritage assets, but the results are not showing. The Taj Trepezium Zone authority constituted by an Act of the parliament, has dismally failed to control pollution and improve quality of life.

The citizens of Agra have forsaken their heritage, and the wonderful Mughal monuments are victims of collective apathy.