The Ministry of Culture inaugurated a new Induction Training Programme for 53 newly recruited Senior Conservation Assistants and Conservation Assistants at the Institute of Archaeology, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Campus in Greater Noida. This one-month intensive training program covers participants from various ASI Circles across the country and features a revamped curriculum that integrates core archaeological practices with administrative decision-making, including training in Government Financial Rules (GFR), administrative law, establishment procedures, manpower-management, and departmental inquiries.
During the inauguration, Secretary Shri Vivek Aggarwal articulated a strategic shift to transform the Institute into an International Centre of Excellence. He emphasized the concept of 'Monument Economy,' highlighting how cultural heritage serves as an economic catalyst by generating employment and contributing to national GDP through tourism, local transport, hospitality, artisan markets, light-and-sound shows, and curated heritage walks, either directly or through public-private partnerships (PPPs). The Secretary urged officers to embrace decisive leadership, stating that institutional resources are no barrier for initiatives taken up earnestly, and outlined an ethos prioritizing national interest first, institutional duty second, and society and family third.
Director General of ASI, Shri Yadubir Singh Rawat, reiterated the conservation philosophy of 'Minimum intervention and Maximum retention' and announced that this training module will be followed by refresher courses for in-service ASI personnel and state archaeology department officials. This initiative marks a significant milestone in rejuvenating the Institute's state-of-the-art 25-acre campus, which is being repositioned from its traditional 15-student Post Graduate Diploma in Archaeology (PGDA) cohort to become a premier archaeological training institution comparable to the best global training institutions. The campus will also be developed as a hub for cultural activities and for educating young students about Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's life and work.