In an era where rapid development often overshadows cultural preservation, iconic Bharatanatyam and Odissi exponent, former Rajya Sabha Member, and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr Sonal Mansingh has made a compelling appeal for the creation of an Indian Heritage Service (IHS)- a specialised cadre dedicated to protecting and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage. In this exclusive conversation, Dr Mansingh shares her vision, concerns, and hopes for India’s cultural future.
Explaining what inspired her to propose the creation of an Indian Heritage Service, Dr. Mansingh says, “India is not merely a geographical entity; it is one of the world’s oldest living civilisations. Our temples, monuments, performing arts, languages, traditions, manuscripts, crafts, and knowledge systems together form the soul of this nation. While we have dedicated civil services like the IAS, IPS, and IFS to manage administration, law enforcement, and diplomacy, our cultural heritage deserves equally focused institutional attention.” She believes that an Indian Heritage Service would ensure that preserving India’s civilisational wealth becomes a national responsibility rather than an occasional initiative.
Speaking about the limitations of the existing system, she explains, “Many departments work sincerely towards conservation, but their efforts are often fragmented. Heritage preservation requires professionals who possess deep knowledge of archaeology, history, conservation science, museum management, performing arts, architecture, and cultural policy.” According to her, a specialised service would bring together trained experts capable of making informed decisions while ensuring continuity and long-term planning.
Dr Mansingh envisions the proposed service as the backbone of India’s cultural preservation efforts. “Just as the IAS administers governance and the IPS safeguards security, the Indian Heritage Service should become the backbone of cultural preservation,” she says. She adds that its officers could work towards protecting monuments, preserving traditional knowledge, documenting intangible heritage, strengthening museums and archives, promoting indigenous art forms, and ensuring that India’s cultural identity is preserved for future generations.
For Dr Mansingh, heritage extends far beyond monuments and ancient structures. “Heritage is not confined to ancient stones or historical monuments. It is reflected in our festivals, music, dance, literature, rituals, languages, crafts, philosophies, and ways of life. These are the living expressions of our civilisation,” she explains. She cautions that failure to preserve these traditions could mean losing the very identity that has defined India for thousands of years.
Highlighting the need to bridge the gap between policy and implementation, Dr Mansingh says, “There is often a gap between policy formulation and implementation. A specialised heritage cadre would bridge that divide by combining administrative efficiency with subject expertise.” She believes that decisions related to heritage conservation should be made by individuals who understand both governance and culture. “This balance is essential for meaningful preservation,” she adds.
At a time when India is undergoing rapid economic and technological transformation, Dr Mansingh emphasises that development and heritage conservation need not be viewed as opposing forces. “Development and heritage conservation are not opposing ideas—they complement each other. A nation that values its roots builds a stronger future,” she says. According to her, modern India must continue progressing economically and technologically while remaining deeply connected to its cultural foundations. “Heritage gives us continuity, confidence, and a sense of belonging,” she observes.
Addressing policymakers, Dr Mansingh urges them to recognise cultural heritage as a national priority deserving institutional support and professional leadership. To the younger generation, she offers an equally powerful message: “Know your heritage, celebrate it, and become its guardians. Our civilisation has survived for millennia because every generation accepted the responsibility of preserving it. That responsibility now belongs to us.”
Dr Sonal Mansingh’s proposal for an Indian Heritage Service (IHS) is more than an administrative reform. It represents a larger vision for safeguarding India’s cultural and civilisational legacy through dedicated expertise, professional leadership, and institutional commitment. As conversations around heritage conservation gain momentum, her appeal serves as a timely reminder that preserving the past is essential for shaping the future. In her words, “Our heritage is our identity. Preserving it is not merely a cultural duty, it is a national responsibility.”
