French culture, architecture to be restored

KOLKOTA: In order to bring back the past glory of Chadannagore as the largest centre of French culture, architecture and learning in the East, the governments of India and France have taken up a restoration project costing several million Euros. This was stated by Ambassador of France in India Francois Richier while talking to a select group of reporters here last night. Richier said following a research and spot study by an Indo- French Joint Expert Group of a large number of French architectural monuments and cultural sites of Chandannagore-- an 18th century French colony--a total of 99 buildings and sites had been identifi ed for restoration and renovation during the next few years. Richier was fl anked by French Consul General in Kolkata Jean Louis Rysto and French Senator for Foreign Cultural Affairs Joelle Garriaud-Maylam. The fi nal report of the Expert Group had recently been submitted to the ministries of Culture of both the countries and it was up to the governments to decide on the modalities of execution of the recommendations in consultation with the state government, the French envoy informed. Elaborating the purpose of taking up the time bound project, Richier said both Chadannagore in Eastern India and Pondicherry(now Pudduchery) on the southern coast were the two major centres of French art and culture during the 18th and 19th centuries. But though Pondicherry has been able to retain its glory and activities of French culture and learning with more than 6,500 French nationals permanently living in that coastal town, for some reason or other Chandannagore had failed to do so despite having similar rich heritage, he said. Realising that if no proper action was taken to restore the sites and buildings depicting French as well as European culture at Chandannagore all would be destroyed, local people and art lovers of West Bengal had appealed to the government a few years ago to undertake the project, Richier said and complimented the state government and the city’s French consulate in taking up the challenge. About the huge cost involved in the project which was likely to take about four to fi ve years, the Ambassador said fi nancial and other aspects were yet to be fi nalised though he hoped that the work could begin before the end of this year. As part of the plan steps would also be taken to beautify the river front of the Ganges along Chandannagore, about 30 km from here in Hooghly district, with the selected 99 heritage buildings and sites, Richier said. He reiterated his government’s commitment to restore the town’s past glory as one of major centres of French learning and Culture of the East. The French Consul General was decorated with the prestigious ‘Legion of Honour’ award by the Ambassador on behalf of the French government here last night for his rich contribution towards developing close bilateral socio-cultural relations during his stay in the city.