India, March 10 -- If you stroll through the historic districts of cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, or Kolkata, you'll likely spot blue plaques adorning heritage buildings. Inspired by London's renowned blue plaque programme, these markers honour the legacy of structures that have endured through time.

Whether it's an old haveli, a colonial-era institution, or the residence of a notable figure, these plaques put up by municipal corporations aim to make the past more visible in the present. By drawing attention to these sites, they seek to encourage people to pause, reflect, and engage with the city's architectural and cultural legacy.

But beyond their symbolic value, do these plaques truly help preserve heritage? Do they inspire restoratio...