Germany signs financial agreement to launch restoration of Arab Ki Sarai Baoli

The German Ambassador to India, Martin Ney, signed a financial agreement treaty with the Aga Khan Foundation to launch the restoration of the Arab Ki Sarai Baoli here on Tuesday.

"As you know the cultural heritage of a country is a key factor in defining the identity of its people. Historical monuments not only represent architectural skills of the past, but also provide a deep insight into what ancient times were like," Ney said.

"There's a heavy challenge, and the challenge is the combined impact of climate conditions, of pollution, negligence, urbanisation and natural decay which often results in damage to the cultural sights or complete disappearance," he outlined.

The German Ambassador highlighted that this would be his last project before he returns to Germany on Friday, after serving in his post for around four years.

"Germany aims to protect and preserve cultural property worldwide...We have supported, since the last 35 years, over 2,800 projects in 144 countries. In India we've done 50 successful projects so far and spent more than rupees 10 crores between 1981 and today...," he said, outlining the projects that the German Embassy in India has undertaken.