Govind Gaude, our esteemed Minister for Culture who was under fire for the Kala Academy disaster has squarely blamed the Charles Correa foundation for not suggesting remedies to the structure way back in 1990, when there were no significant problems with the structure. He also mentioned that the Academy was built within 2.5 metres of the high tide line on sand dunes. I really don't know how mantri ji conjures up such bizzare assertions. The Charles Correa foundation had at various times in the past offered its services free of charge to the government when the restoration work was to be taken up but to no avail. Of course we don't need to repeat Gaude's claim that Shah Jahan didn't invite tenders for the Taj Mahal when questioned about no due process being followed for award of the refurbishment contract of Kala Academy. Such is the rot in the body politic that ministers shamelessly brazen it out when being held accountable by civil society for mismanagement of affairs under their respective departments ; attack is their best form of defence. This has become as institutionalized now as corruption and by the looks of it things aren't going to change anytime soon.
