Mar 27, 2006 :: A Muslim restores Hindu temples

Mohammed Yeasin Pathan grew up watching 34 temples slowly to ruin, in nearby Pathra village in West Midnapore district of Bengal. Since 1971, this poorly paid school peon has combated vandalism, distrust of him as a Muslim, the region's poverty and state apathy.

It was not mere sentimentality that drove him; he also believed restored temples would bring tourist traffic and cash incomes.

That's beginning to happen. Thanks to Pathan's campaign, since 2003, the Archaeological Survey of India has restored 20 temples. Though ruined financially, Pathan has achieved communal harmony and stays busy trying to attract tourist traffic. Full story in Outlook magazine