Today I read in the paper that a firm in Hyderabad is designing a replica of the Eiffel Tower here in India. I’m sure these guys are very nice and one can hardly fault them for carrying out this job, as it appears to be a high profile and big budget project with a considerable fee – I assume. But I can’t help noticing that this is a huge missed opportunity for the country. Instead of creating a monument to India, they’re copying a 19th century French icon. What does this say about India? The subtext is disturbing to say the least. Let’s hope this new decade gives clients the brains to find great designers and the courage to trust them.