“Like India’s prestigious IITs and IIMs, why not have a world-class institution for cultural heritage? This query was posed recently, during a conversation with Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Director General of Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Musuem).

As the discussion progressed, the thought presented itself with plenty of possibilities. “Even if such an institute were to nurture 30 such managers annually, India’s cultural spaces will benefit by their expertise and vision,” he added. In these culturally-threatened times, we couldn’t agree any less. The dialogue found resonance also because of two developments centred on cultural heritage that emerged last week.