tushar joag

RECONCILIATION & TRUTH
exposition by the UNICELL International Department of Monuments and Edifices
by
Tushar Joag
12 - 31 January 08

Razing of Monuments and icons of the past makes for spectacular footage, it is also good proof to show that democracy is working- people are taking charge. By felling the monument / icon the mobs give the powers that be, a mandate to continue in their tenure/occupancy.

But a survey conducted by UNICELL has proved that too much time, energy and finances have to be spent to maintain them Or then the redressal of such events in case of interventions by the truth and reconciliation commissions leads up to phenomenal costs (The cost of maintaining the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat New Delhi is approximately Rs. 40 million per year. The Liberhan commission which was constituted for the inquiry into the demolition of the Babri Mosque has till date cost Rs.7.20 million). Such edifices and icons of the past thus are a drain on the state exchequer and have not much use other than for venting public ire .

So as to do away with this violent temptation it is recommended by UNICELL that:

• All the future monuments should be created as debris so as to be unidentifiable as belonging to any particular people.
• These should be installed in a special zone that is neutral and unidentifiable as belonging to any particular peoples. This could be situated on some island or in a desert.

UNICELL has formed a central administrative body 'International Department for Monuments and Edifices'. (Recognition from the respective offices pending)

Bureau Chief
International Department for Monuments and Edifices

The current exhibition elucidates this concept through schematic models and visionary drawings.