<img alt="" src="/imagedata/2010/jun/dilli.jpg" align="left" border="0" />For a city replete with history and heritage monuments, Dilli's efforts to conserve historical buildings have been rather clumsy. Currently, a debate is raging over whether the capital's most notable landmark, the Red Fort, was actually white, as claimed by the Archaeological Survey of India, which is undertaking its renovation. The renovators have consequently painted the originally red wall in one of the pavilions white. But heritage activists are not convinced and may even be more shocked when they discover similar "vandalism" (or is it "revisionism") at Humanyun's Tomb soon. Already several conservationists are unhappy with the slipshod renovation of several monuments using plaster. Most recently the renovation of an old stepwell near Dilli's Connaught Place actually erased its unique and intricate floral patterns. Perhaps it may be useful to seek help of non-sarkari experts, as Mumbai did in the case of Crawford Market. Spirit of regulation When Maharashtra raised the drinking age to 25 years it set off a storm among the youth and, predictably, protests from the liquor industry. Dilli, where this law has been around for a while, is now eagerly watching if this experiment will work or not. The protesters, who inevitably include celebrities of various hues, point out that the law is ridiculous especially when people can vote and marry at 18 years. Liquor companies are upset because it'll affect their business rather crucially. But politicians obviously see the issue in a different light. Tough liquor laws are popular with the masses and this new policy announced by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan is clearly with an eye on the panchayat elections due in three months. A government campaign against liquor consumption is likely to touch a sympathetic chord with voters, especially women. While drinking may be a question of lifestyle orpersonal choice for Mumbai's educated youth, the government wishes to be seen to be concerned about bigger issues such as health and violence emanating from liquor consumption. But will it work?

For a city replete with history and heritage monuments, Dilli's efforts to conserve historical buildings have been rather clumsy

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