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News India Live, Digital Desk: For any musician, his instrument is not just a structure of wood or strings, but it is a part of his soul. Their sadhana, emotions and memories are associated with it. Imagine what that artist must have gone through when he came down from the journey and saw that his most beloved instrument was broken into pieces. Something similar has happened with Anushka Shankar, the famous sitar player who has brought glory to India across the world. And this pain has not been caused by any foreign airline, but by India’s flag carrier Air India itself. What is the whole matter? Pandit Ravi Shankar’s daughter and Grammy-nominated artist Anushka Shankar was traveling recently. He handed over his prized ‘Sitar’ to Air India with confidence. But when they got their belongings back, the ground slipped beneath their feet. The sitar was badly broken. Its condition was such that it would bring tears to the eyes of any music lover. Anushka shared the video of the broken sitar on social media and expressed her displeasure. This post of hers is not just a complaint but a jibe at the system that has forgotten to appreciate art. “You are the same country whose music this is…” The most poignant thing about Anushka Shankar was that she reminded Air India which country they represent. He wrote that Air India is the airline of the same country whose identity is classical music and sitar. Despite this, how can there be such carelessness? For an artist, seeing his instrument like this is like seeing his child injured. He clearly said that this situation is “heartbreaking” for him. People are asking the question: When will the system improve? This is not the first time that an airline has treated musical instruments like garbage. It is often seen that airport staff throw baggage badly. But such treatment of a delicate musical instrument, which has the tag of ‘Fragile’, is shameful. Fans have come out in support of Anushka on social media. People are saying that airlines have to understand that every bag does not just contain clothes, some also contain one’s life’s earnings and respect. Insult of cultural heritage? Sitar is not just an instrument, it is the identity of India. Anushka Shankar brings glory to India through this sitar on stages across the world. This negligence of Air India has once again sparked a debate on whether we are failing to take care of our heritage. Anushka will now try to get her instrument repaired, but no compensation can compensate for the mental trauma and broken trust.