November 12, 2001

   The National Culture Fund has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with World Monument Fund New Year for preservation and restoration of Pardesh Synagogue Clock Tower, Fort-Cochin, Kerala, here today. The MoU was signed between Shri Navneet Soni, Member Secretary, National Culture Fund and Ms. Amita Baig, Heritage Management Consultant, World Monuments Fund, New York whereby World Monument Fund will provide upto Rs. 9.00 lakh on the basis of the conservation report.

    The Cochin Synagogue, the oldest one in the country, was built in 1568. In the absence of scientific preservation and restoration of the structure, it has lost much of its glory and is in a very fragile state. The restoration will be undertaken in consultation with local experts and in accordance with the norms of best conservation practices by a mutually acceptable Contractor under the supervision of experts appointed by WMF and in consultation with National Culture Fund.

    The National Culture Fund was established as a Trust by Government of India with the objective of mobilizing resources from various fields including corporate sector, private foundations and non-profit organisations to support art and culture. Some of the projects undertaken by NCF relate to Humayun's Tomb, New Delhi; Shavinarwara, Pune; Jantar Mantar, New Delhi; Taj Mahal, Agra; Hampi Ruins, Karnataka etc.