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

Agra, a treasure trove of monumental grandeur attracting throngs of global tourists wallows in a spiritual void, oblivious to its opulent inheritance.

Read in Hindi: न फ़क्र है, न जुड़ाव, ऐसे कैसे बचेगी विरासत...?

Agra's streets echo with apathy, devoid of discussions on the legacy and prosperity rooted in its historical riches.

The river Yamuna, once a lifeline of history, meanders through pollution, forsaken and forgotten. Dr Devashish Bhattacharya, a voice in the wilderness, laments the silent decay, urging the custodians of heritage to awaken from their slumber and embrace the urgency of preservation.

The heartrending tale extends beyond the Taj Mahal, where lesser-known marvels languish in anonymity, bereft of the spotlight due to a lack of nurturing. The city's architectural jewels find themselves suffocated by encroachments, whispering tales of neglect by the very guardians assigned to protect them.

It is a tale of woe and disregard, where heritage is relegated to an obstacle hindering economic progress, not a crown jewel enriching the city's soul. In a place where tourism thrives, the locals find themselves estranged from their own history, devoid of the pride of being inheritors of a Mughal gem.

The general perception in Agra is that industries and employment opportunities suffered a body blow due to the Taj Mahal and the hue and cry over pollution threat to the monuments. The Supreme Court verdict in December 1996 forced hundreds of industries to down their shutters permanently, resulting in disruption of economic activities.

Most people think that the present ruling dispensation in the state is heavily biased against Mughal Agra and its history. That apart, the local tourism bodies, the hoteliers and travel agents, rarely organise activities to instil a sense of pride in the hearts of the local citizens. The Archaeological Survey of India ritually conducts some activities but does little else to strengthen the cultural bonds. The communication divide is dark and steep, says Dr Mukul Pandya, a heritage conservationist.

In the shadows of economic pressures and the cacophony of tourism, a sense of fatigue looms over Agra's citizens, eroding their connection to the enigmatic past that surrounds them. The symphony of historical and cultural significance remains muted, drowned in the daily struggles of survival that engulf the people.

As the world commemorates the essence of our shared heritage, Agra and its denizens must heed the call, to rise above the indifference and reclaim the pride and passion befitting their illustrious past. The time has come to bridge the gap, nurture awareness, and ignite the flames of pride, for in the preservation of our heritage lies the preservation of our identity, our essence, our legacy.