After a look around the Capital,Bertrand Delanoe,Mayor of Paris,has something striking to say: that Delhi and Paris are actually quite similar. The Capital of India and that of France are similar. There are several heritage sites in both. Delanoe met Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday seeking cooperation on issues like tackling water supply and waste. He has a word of advice for Delhi: Delhi should hold on to its heritage and also allow for developing the heritage of the 21 Century. The city looks ready for the Commonwealth Games. And I have to tell you,if you want to achieve success for the Commonwealth Games,then you will have constructions and dug up roads. Its okay. Like Delhi,Paris also faces the challenge of providing amenities to its burgeoning migrant population. In Paris,there are people from various cultural backgrounds. As Mayor,I have to give equal amenities to people in all localities. The challenges of local and civic governance then,are markedly different from political decisions. In France,the issue of a ban on headscarveswith French schools calling for a ban on religious gear like headscarvesis one that is political,he said. Issues of local governance,however,have to remain equitable. The issue of the headscarf ban is more of a political interpretation. It is based on certain French values equality between men and women,absolute freedom,no restrictions or imposition on either sex. The political interpretations may or may not help people evolve. But for governance,we have to make sure everyone gets equal amenities,no matter what his origins. New architectural projects in Paris offer a peek into concepts which are beginning to create what Delanoe has called 21st Century heritage. French architect Jacques Ferrier and his team are working on new buildings which are beautiful and environment friendly. Part of the buildings are startling swathes of greenery atop roofs and in vertical walls at a proposed project at 54 Rue des Poissonniers in Paris,for example.
