The one hundred and fifty years old royal courthouse of the Maharaja of the erstwhile principality of Kochi has landed in controversy, regarding conservation work being conducted upon it. The Archaeological Survey of India has expressed displeasure and concern at not being informed about the conservation work, which has been handed over to a private architectural firm. What has followed is the usual blame game ensued between the State Government and the Lalitkala Academy, who commissioned the work. What is interesting to infer from such an incident is the crucial question of preserving architectural treasures of this sub continent in a way which does not prove counter productive in any possible way. Here’s the news flash.