The NASA-ISRO Partnership and the NISAR Mission

The NASA-ISRO Partnership and the NISAR Mission: A Leap Forward in Earth Observation and Global Resilience.

Yesterday evening, the skies above Sriharikota witnessed a triumphant moment as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II F16 rocket with a precision that placed the satellite within 3 kilometers of its intended orbit—far surpassing the 20-kilometer margin. This magnificent launch marked a significant milestone in the storied partnership between ISRO and NASA, two space agencies representing the world’s largest and oldest democracies.

The successful launch of the GSLV Mark II rocket and the placement of NISAR satellite in its intended orbit, not only restored ISRO’s reputation after recent setbacks with the PSLV-C61/EOS-09 and NVS-02 missions but also reaffirmed the belief of ISRO founders in harvesting the applications of space for the benefit of humankind, more particularly Indians. It also strengthens the enduring collaboration between India and US that traces its roots to the visionary efforts of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Homi Bhabha, and their contemporaries in ISRO and NASA in the 1960s and 1970s. The NISAR mission, a $1.5 billion endeavor, is poised to revolutionize Earth observation with its dual-frequency radar imaging, offering unprecedented insights into natural processes and aiding global efforts in disaster mitigation, climate monitoring, and sustainable development, which are now of extreme importance to the global community. Over the next three months, as NISAR transitions from deployment to full operational capability, it will usher in a new era of space applications, echoing the transformative impact of ISRO’s Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) program of 1975.

The Deployment Process of NISAR: A Three-Month Journey to Full Functionality

The successful launch of NISAR on July 30, 2025, marked the beginning of a meticulously planned deployment and commissioning process, expected to span approximately 90 days. This phase is critical to ensuring that the satellite, equipped with NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems, becomes fully operational and ready to deliver high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night data. The deployment process can be broken down into several sub-phases, each designed to prepare the satellite for its ambitious scientific objectives.

Launch and Initial Orbit Stabilization (Days 1–10)

Following its precise injection into a 743-kilometer Sun-synchronous polar orbit, NISAR’s immediate post-launch phase involves stabilizing the spacecraft and confirming its health. Mission controllers from ISRO’s Telemetry Tracking and Command Network in Bengaluru and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have already confirmed full signal acquisition, indicating that the satellite is functioning as expected. During this period, the satellite’s solar arrays are deployed to power its systems, and initial checks are conducted on the spacecraft’s mainframe elements, including its attitude control systems, thermal regulation, and communication subsystems. These checks ensure that NISAR is correctly oriented and stable in its dawn-to-dusk orbit, which allows it to maintain consistent solar illumination for power generation.

Antenna Deployment (Days 10–20)

A critical milestone in NISAR’s deployment is the unfurling of its 12-meter mesh reflector antenna, the largest radar antenna ever deployed in space. Mounted on a 9-meter deployable boom, this antenna is essential for the satellite’s dual-frequency SAR operations. The deployment process, scheduled to begin around the 10th day post-launch, is a complex, multi-stage operation that requires precise coordination to extend the boom and unfurl the gold-plated mesh reflector, which resembles a giant beach umbrella. This step is crucial for enabling NISAR’s SweepSAR technology, which allows the satellite to image a 242-kilometer swath with 5–10-meter resolution. Engineers at ISRO and NASA will monitor the deployment closely, ensuring that the antenna is correctly positioned and structurally sound.

Commissioning and Instrument Calibration (Days 20–90)

The commissioning phase, spanning the first 90 days, is dedicated to preparing NISAR for its science operations. This phase is divided into sub-phases, including initial engineering checks, payload activation, and instrument calibration. The L-band (24 cm wavelength) and S-band (9 cm wavelength) radar systems, provided by NASA and ISRO respectively, will undergo rigorous testing to ensure they operate harmoniously. Calibration will involve the use of ground-based corner reflectors, such as those hosted by the National Centre of Geodesy at IIT-Kanpur and IIT-Patna, to fine-tune the radar’s accuracy during the in-orbit checkout phase. These reflectors help validate the satellite’s ability to detect minute surface deformations as small as a centimeter. Additionally, JPL’s engineering payload and instrument checkout will confirm the functionality of the high-rate communication subsystem, GPS receivers, solid-state recorder, and payload data subsystem. By the end of this phase, expected around late October 2025, NISAR will be ready to commence its primary science mission, systematically mapping Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days.

The Legacy of ISRO-NASA Collaboration: From SITE to NISAR

The NISAR mission is a testament to the deep and enduring partnership between ISRO and NASA, a collaboration that began in the 1960s under the leadership of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of India’s space program, and Dr. Homi Bhabha, a pioneer in India’s scientific community. Their vision for leveraging space technology for societal benefit laid the groundwork for one of ISRO’s most transformative initiatives: the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) of 1975. This program, executed under the leadership of Prof. Satish Dhawan and with contributions from Dr. E.V. Chitnis, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, used NASA’s ATS-6 satellite to broadcast educational and health programs to 2,400 villages across India. The SITE program, often hailed as the “TV revolution,” brought knowledge on agriculture, health, and education to remote communities, demonstrating the power of space technology to bridge developmental gaps.

The NISAR mission builds on this legacy of international cooperation and societal impact. Unlike SITE, which relied on a borrowed satellite, NISAR is a true 50/50 partnership, with NASA contributing the L-band radar, radar reflector antenna, and critical subsystems, while ISRO provides the S-band radar, spacecraft bus, and launch services via the GSLV-F16. This collaboration, forged across 13 time zones and a decade of effort, showcases the technical and diplomatic synergy between two spacefaring nations. The mission’s open-data policy, which will make NISAR’s data publicly accessible within 1–2 days of observation and in near real-time for disaster response, echoes the democratizing spirit of SITE, ensuring that the benefits of advanced Earth observation reach developing nations and global communities.

NISAR’s Global Impact: Revolutionizing Disaster Mitigation and Beyond

Once fully operational in late October 2025, NISAR will transform how the world monitors and responds to natural processes and hazards. Its dual-frequency SAR, capable of penetrating vegetation (L-band) and detecting surface changes (S-band), will provide high-resolution, all-weather imagery, making it a game-changer in several domains:

Disaster Management and Mitigation

NISAR’s ability to detect surface deformations as small as a centimeter will enable early warning systems for natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. For instance, by monitoring fault lines, NISAR can identify areas of slow movement or locked faults, providing insights into potential seismic risks. Its all-weather imaging capability ensures that data remains available during cloud cover or darkness, critical for assessing flood zones or storm impacts. The satellite’s near real-time data will empower disaster response teams to act swiftly, potentially saving lives and reducing economic losses. For example, in the aftermath of the magnitude-8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Far East coast on July 30, 2025, NISAR’s data could have aided in mapping affected areas, even under adverse weather conditions.

Climate Monitoring and Environmental Stewardship

NISAR will provide critical data on climate change impacts, particularly in the cryosphere. Its left-facing instruments will study the Antarctic ice sheet, tracking melting and growth patterns to refine models of sea-level rise. The satellite will also monitor glaciers, permafrost, and sea ice, contributing to a better understanding of the carbon cycle and climate dynamics. By mapping wetlands and forests, NISAR will assess ecosystem disturbances and support biodiversity conservation efforts.

Agriculture and Resource Management

NISAR’s data will enhance agricultural productivity by monitoring soil moisture, crop growth, and land use changes. Farmers and policymakers can use this information to optimize irrigation, assess crop health, and plan sustainable agricultural practices. The satellite’s ability to map surface water resources will also aid in water management, particularly in water-scarce regions.

Infrastructure and Urban Planning

By detecting subtle land movements, NISAR will help assess the integrity of critical infrastructure such as levees, dams, and aqueducts. This capability is vital for preventing failures that could lead to catastrophic consequences. Urban planners can use NISAR’s data to monitor ground subsidence and ensure resilient city development.

Global Accessibility and Societal Benefits

NISAR’s open-data policy will democratize access to high-resolution Earth observation data, benefiting developing nations that lack advanced satellite systems. This accessibility will support global research, policy-making, and disaster preparedness, aligning with India’s vision of being a “Vishwa Bandhu” (global partner) as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

A Beacon of Hope Amidst Global Challenges

The successful launch of NISAR comes at a time of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, notably with the announcement of 25% tariffs on India by U.S. President Donald Trump. Amid this gloom, the NISAR mission stands as a symbol of hope, showcasing the power of collaboration between the world’s oldest and largest democracies. The mission’s success underscores the resilience of the U.S.-India partnership, which has weathered challenges to deliver cutting-edge science for global benefit. As ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan noted, NISAR will generate a “tremendous amount of data” daily, serving decision-makers, scientists, and disaster managers worldwide. This echoes the vision of Dr. Sarabhai, who saw space as a tool for uniting humanity through shared knowledge and progress.

Conclusion

The NISAR mission, launched on July 30, 2025, marks a historic milestone in the ISRO-NASA partnership, building on the legacy of pioneers like Dr. Sarabhai, Dr. Bhabha, Prof. Dhawan, and Dr. Chitnis. Over the next three months, as NISAR completes its deployment and commissioning phases, it will transition into a powerful tool for observing Earth’s complex processes. By providing high-resolution, all-weather data, NISAR will revolutionize disaster mitigation, climate monitoring, agriculture, and infrastructure management, benefiting not only India and the United States but also the global community. As the satellite begins beaming images in late October 2025, it will carry forward the spirit of the 1975 SITE program, using space technology to address humanity’s most pressing challenges. In an era of global uncertainties, NISAR stands as a testament to what two democracies can achieve when united by a shared commitment to science and the collective good.

 

Operation Faith - When Science Stood Up to Fear

Bhopal Gas Tragedy Comes to a Close - Time to Remember forgotten Operation Faith, When Science Stood Up to Fear

The hazardous chemical waste that was lying at the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy Union Carbide factory site, which witnessed the deadly MIC gas leak in December 1984, including pesticide residue has been disposed of through incineration at a facility in Pithampur.  The incineration process had begun with a trial run of 10 tonnes of incineration of the waste in February 2025 and this was part of a larger effort to safely dispose of the 377 tons of chemical toxic waste from the industrial disaster site in Bhopal. The waste was transported from the defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal to the TSDF (Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility) in Pithampur. After four decades on the orders of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the toxic waste was transported - in twelve trucks - from the Union Carbide factory site in Bhopal to the incineration site in Pithampur, amid heavy security. The waste was lying at the site for 40 years after the tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people and injured many more for life.

Most of the media - newspapers carried out the news of the finality of the incineration of the chemical toxic waste - including raising some questions on its environmental impact. However, sadly, there was not even a single report or media coverage which recalled a forgotten episode of Operation Faith, a scientific endeavour carried out by dedicated scientists, that saved many lives. Through this article I wish to recall Operation Faith and the contributions of the scientists who worked fearlessly, not caring for the safety of their lives, to study the accident site and diffuse a possible second leak which was waiting to happen.  

With the final lot of the toxic waste incineration completed, a sad chapter in the world’s largest industrial catastrophe, the Bhopal Gas Disaster, ended on 3 July at the TDSF in Pithampur of MP’s Dhār district. The last consignment of 19 tonnes of toxic waste-laden soil and 2.22 tonnes of packaging material, the remaining part of the 358 tonnes of toxic waste was completed on 3 July. It may be recalled that 377 tonnes of toxic waste was transported from UCIL Factory site in Bhopal to Pithampur in January 2025, on the orders of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The incineration of the waste was carried out in phases from January onwards under the watch of pollution control board experts monitored by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, with the last phase coming to an end early this month.

The enormity of the Bhopal gas tragedy can be fathomed from the global media headlines that this tragedy received. India Today front-paged this tragic incident covering it under the caption “City of Death” in their December 1984 issue. Time magazine titled their cover story “India’s Disaster—The Night of Death” in their December 14, 1984, issue. Incidentally, the Wall Street Journal, which is now in the news for its insensitive reporting of the Air India flight disaster that killed 262 people, was at its insensitive worst reportage of the Bhopal Gas tragedy. Reporting this worst global industrial disaster caused by the negligence of the Union Carbide management, a US company, The WSJ wrote “of those people killed, half would not have been alive today if it weren’t for that plant and the modern health standards made possible by wide use of pesticides.” Revealing its insensitivity to the thousands of people who had lost their lives.

It was past midnight on December 2, 1984, that nearly 30 of the 42 metric tonnes of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC), stored in one of the tanks - Tank E610 - of the UCIL Pesticide Plant, leaked and escaped into the atmosphere with great velocity. This deadly cloud of MIC gas took a heavy toll on the lives and livelihood of people in the area. Even today, the exact human death toll from the Bhopal gas tragedy is not known. However, it is estimated that more than 5000 people died within a few days of the gas leakage. Many more thousands of people were injured and maimed for life impacted by this tragedy, caused due to gross negligence of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL). Finally, after 40 plus years of this human tragedy, the entire toxic waste from the UCIL site has finally been incinerated bringing about a symbolic closure to this unforgettable disaster.

The story of the Bhopal Gas tragedy will remain incomplete without remembering “Operation Faith’ under which, a group of scientists showed exemplary courage and commitment and put to use their scientific acumen to prevent a possible second catastrophe which was waiting to unfold had there not been a timely intervention by the group, who risked their lives to save the situation. Unfortunately, this extraordinary story of the bravery of the scientists from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), led by the visionary Dr. S. Varadarajan, under “Operation Faith”, is less known or almost completely forgotten.

When Science Stood Up to Fear

Not many youngsters today are aware of the Bhopal Gas tragedy and even less people know about Operation Faith. This operation was launched immediately after the disaster that unfolded with MIC leak in Bhopal in December 1984. The focus was shifted to managing the remaining MIC stored in the other tanks. "Operation Faith" was the name given to this mission after its completion and it involved the process of converting the stored MIC in other tanks into a pesticide, a process that involved safe transferring the MIC to a different part of the plant and safeguarding it from leakage.

This mission was led by Dr Varadarajan, who in consultation with eminent chemist, Prof M M Sharma, put together a team of 16 members -  consisting of chemical engineers and related experts, Dr. L.K. Doraiswamy, N.R Ayyangar, C.S.P Iyer, A .A Khan, A.K. Lahiri, K.V. Muzamdar, R.A Mashelkar, R.B Mitra , O.G.B Nambiar, V.Ramachandran, V.D Sahasrabuddhe, S. Sivaram, M. Sriram, G. Thyagarajan and R.S. Venkataraman – to address this complicated issue.

The deadly MIC gas leak from the UCIL factory in Bhopal had created a havoc and in such tragic and dangerous circumstances there was not much support on the ground for the team. The Operation Faith team, therefore, had to work risking their lives at site. The first decision Dr Varadarajan took immediately on landing in Bhopal, was to physically inspect the site to study the residues still left in tank 610 from where the gas had leaked. During their inspection the team learnt about the imminent danger of the second tank E 611, which had around 40 tonnes of MIC stored in it, similar to the storage that tank E610 had. The team also realised that there was another tank, which too had MIC and posed a risk of leakage.

Site inspection not only helped the team to understand what may have gone wrong that led to the leakage of MIC from E610 tank, but they also realised that tank, E611, with a similar amount of MIC 40 tonnes, stored in it, lay ticking like a chemical time bomb. There was every chance that tank E 611 might undergo same runaway reaction as 610 from which deadly MIC had leaked. Dr Varadarajan and his team examined the residues still left in tank 610 to get an idea of what all could have happened to the MIC in tank 610 and why it leaked.

Once they fairly assessed the reasons for the leakage of the MIC, they set about engineering a mechanism to safely dispose the remaining MIC from tank 610 and take precautionary measures to safeguard leakage from 611, and finally try and dispose the MIC gas from that tank. There was another question that needed to be answered: what were the effects of the toxic MIC gas on the people around. How and why did the MIC cause death and damage, and how can such damage be countered or avoided. They shared their knowledge of the MIC and its impact with the health workers.

The team carefully studied the situation at ground and at lightning speed comprehended the chemistry and storage conditions of the MIC in the two tanks and thoughtfully provided engineering solution to mitigate leakage from tank E 611.  They realised that MIC boils at 80°C but evaporates at lower temperature. This showed that MIC gas is best stored under refrigerated conditions - below 10°C. Shockingly, this was not done at the factory by UCIL – cost cutting measures perhaps. They also realised that ultrapure MIC can be inert and that trace impurities can set up a chain reaction and one of them can produce a solid polymer. This solid polymer could clog up pipes through which MIC can be transferred from the storage tank. They adopted a process of converting 21 tons of MIC from tank 611 into a chemical called Sevin, at the rate of 3-4 tons daily. They commenced this operation on Sunday, December 16th, 1984 and ended six days later. This scientifically and technically validated operation carried out under Operation Faith saved what would definitely have led to a ‘Bhopal 2 tragedy'.

A Legacy Worth Remembering

As India formally closes the Bhopal Gas tragedy chapter after four decades, it is time for us to remember not only the villains, whose gross negligence led to this manmade disaster and learn lesson from this disaster, but also let us remember its heroes of Operation Faith - the scientists who walked into the danger zone when the ones who were responsible fled. They believed that truth, knowledge, and science could protect lives.

Science doesn’t just build rockets or invent vaccines. Sometimes, it walks into a poisoned factory, under threat of death, and quietly save people and the city.

Jai Vigyan.

The outstanding efforts of the team under “Operation Faith” has been documented in the exhaustive CSIR Report on Scientific Studies Related to Bhopal Toxic Gas Leakage (1985), which was submitted to Parliament. This report can now be accessed here: https://bhopalgasdisaster.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/csir-report-on-scientific-studies-december-1985.pdf

 

Maratha Military Landscapes (Forts) Find a Place on the World Stage

 

Maratha Military Landscapes (Forts) Find a Place on the World Stage — But the Journey to Global Heritage Has Just Begun.

The World Heritage Committee, in its 47^th session held at Paris on 11 July 2025, approved ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’, India’s official nomination for the year 2024-25 cycle, for inscription in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This welcome announcement has brought cheers across the country. This is all the more important, since this nomination was made last year, 2024, which marks the 350th anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was crowned King of the Marathas on June 6, 1674, at Raigad Fort. This event, known as Shivrajyabhishek Day, marks the formal beginning of the Maratha Empire and is considered a significant milestone in Indian history. It is therefore befitting that the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’, that includes the Raigad Fort, where Shivaji Maharaj was coroneted, has been permanently etched in the annals of world history inscribed as World Heritage Site, 44^th for India.

Maratha Military Landscapes of India includes 12 forts: 11 from Maharashtra and 1 from Tamil Nadu (Gingee Fort). Raigad Fort, as the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's empire, where Shivaji was coronated, is a prominent fort in this group. The others in the group include; Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and the Sindhudurg Fort From the military brilliance of the Marathas and the naval strategies of the Angres, to the layered colonial influences of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, the Maratha forts in the Konkan area, which are a part of the Maratha Military Landscapes, tell stories embedded deep in India’s maritime and political history It is therefore a happy occasion for India and that finally the Maratha legacy has been recognized as a World Heritage site.

Even as the nation celebrates its 44tn entry into this world’s elite list of the UNESCO World Heritage list, yet, this proud recognition also begs a deeper question: Why has India, a cradle of five thousand plus years of recorded Civilisation, secured relatively fewer UNESCO World Heritage recognitions compared to its potential? This is evidenced from the maiden speech of Mrs Sudha Murthy in the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Murty in her maiden speech at Rajya Sabha on July 2, 2024, highlighted the need for greater recognition of India's archaeological sites and their potential for boosting tourism. She advocated for greater attention to promote domestic tourism and appreciate India's rich cultural heritage. She cited examples like the Bahubali statue at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, the Lingaraja Temple, the Unakoti rock carvings in Tripura, and the Shivaji forts in Maharashtra (recognised this year) as worthy contenders for World Heritage status.

Going back in history, the World Heritage Convention was adopted by UNESCO in 1972, establishing a framework for identifying and preserving cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value. The World Heritage Committee, formed by member states, meets annually to evaluate nominations from countries and to inscribe qualifying sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first World Heritage Sites were inscribed in the year 1978 and the sites included Galápagos Islands (Ecuador of Darwin fame), Yellowstone (USA), and Aachen Cathedral (Germany), among others. India made its debut in the year 1983 with four of its entries Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Taj Mahal, and Agra Fort made it to this list. Since then, India has steadily added sites, reflecting its rich cultural, historical, and natural diversity. But then as Sudha Murthy pointed out in her maiden speech in Rajya Sabha is this pace adequate?

 

India has only 44 World Heritage Sites including the Maratha Forts (added this year), which is impressive, but modest in relation to its staggering breadth of history, architecture, and civilisational achievements. Unfortunately, there has not been priority attached to the World Heritage nominations from India. For decades, heritage nominations have not been duly recognized perhaps due to poorly compiled dossiers, lack of inter-departmental coordination, and an overall apathy toward global cultural diplomacy. The elaborate documentation, research and comparative analysis, and management frameworks that UNESCO demands for probable sites to be inscribed in the World Heritage Site, were not prepared with seriousness.

Fortunately, that tide has begun to turn — notably in the past decade, ever since there has been a discernible acceleration in India's efforts to secure heritage recognitions. While this may be seen as a welcome awakening, it also reflects a shift in how heritage is being positioned — increasingly as a soft power asset, a tool of nation branding, and occasionally, as a means to score electoral brownie points.

The recognition of the Maratha Forts is a case study in how things can be done right when intent meets planning. The objective was to get a World Heritage Listing inscription for the Maratha Forts to commemorate 350^th year of Coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja which has been admirably achieved. This nomination involved deep historical research, GIS-based documentation, careful selection of representative fort types (island, promontory, riverine, and headland), and a cohesive narrative linking India’s maritime past to global trade networks.

Interestingly, World Heritage Listing of some of India’s heritage sites have become integral to all Indians. They have been printed in ink and are circulated in pockets and wallets across the country. One of the article published recently in CSMVS Research Journal entitled “Banking on World Heritage” traces the fascinating history of Indian currency notes that feature World Heritage Sites. Following the demonetisation drive of 2016, the new series of Indian currency notes — from ₹10 to ₹2000 — began showcasing India’s World Heritage landmarks: The Konark Sun Temple (₹10), Ellora Caves (₹20), Rani ki Vav (₹100), Sanchi Stupa (₹200), Hampi (₹50), Red Fort (₹500), and Mangalyaan (₹2000 — a nod to technological heritage). This interesting design was not just an aesthetic choice; it was a subtle but powerful celebration of India’s tangible heritage.

The story doesn’t end with money. India Post, too, has long played its part in popularizing World Heritage Sites through evocative postal stamps. In doing so, both currency and philately have done what academic journals and policy briefs often cannot — they have made World Heritage recognitions accessible, visible, and even aspirational to the average citizen.

What makes the Maratha Forts Inscription in to the World Heritage List truly significant is that it is a serial nomination — a relatively recent strategy in UNESCO terms, where multiple sites are bundled together based on a unifying theme, geography, or cultural thread. This enables the inscription of a “cultural landscape” rather than isolated monuments.

This consideration also resonate with forts elsewhere in India still waiting for global attention: the Deccan strongholds of Bidar and Golconda, the forest forts of the Northeast, the Jain hilltop fortresses in central India. These too deserve to be stitched into a broader narrative of India’s fort heritage — but that will only happen if the same commitment shown in the Maratha Forts nomination is institutionalized and scaled up.

In fact, India is a civilizationally rich country with more than 5000 years of layered cultural heritage, and archaeological sites are being unearthed even today across the subcontinent — each with potential for global recognition. Interestingly, in the year 2017, to mark 70 years of India’s Independence, the London Science Museum organised a highly successful exhibition “Illuminating India: 500 Years of Science and Innovation” acknowledging India’s rich history and yours truly was honoured to be the Nodal Officer for this exhibition from India. There is therefore, a scope for many more UNESCO World Heritage listing possibilities for India.

Take, for example, the city of Bijapur where I studied as a cadet at Sainik School from class V to XI. Bijapur city is home to some of the best architectural marvels, which are astounding: the famed Gol Gumbaz inspired George Wittet, the architect who went on to design the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai, where I currently serve as Advisor. Or the Ibrahim Roza, a majestic “black beauty” of Indian architecture, which predates and even surpasses the Taj Mahal in its delicate proportions and harmonious design. There are several other historically significant sites and monuments from the Adil Shahi period, which collectively can perhaps make a cut.

Bijapur is but one of many overlooked treasure troves. There are many more such sites in India worthy of the UNESCO World Heritage tag — if only they were documented and proposed with the seriousness they merit. Unfortunately, no consolidated national campaign exists to survey, research, document, and submit proposals as per the standard UNESCO format. India has the cultural wealth, but not the machinery to fully capitalize on global heritage recognitions. It is therefore time that a concerted effort be made to strengthen this effort collectively. Perhaps the Ministry of Culture should earmark dedicated funds and assign a specialized heritage research body to undertake this task — systematically, strategically, and sustainably.

Beyond the UNESCO tag lies the deeper issue of how India views its heritage. Are our monuments merely tourist attractions or living cultural assets that inform our identity, policy, and future? Recognition on a global stage should not just be a badge of pride — it must also trigger investments in conservation, heritage education, and sustainable tourism that empowers local economies and safeguards the sites from over-commercialization.

If the forts of Maharashtra — long neglected, some crumbling under the weight of the elements — can now aspire for global protection and respect, it must give hope to every small archaeological mound, neglected palace, or silent rock carving in India.

We have seen our past embossed on our notes, postmarked on our letters, and now finally recognized by the world. It is time we also inscribe it — carefully, consciously, and collaboratively — into our future.

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