Highlighting our heritage

The programme,which promises to reach out to over 10 lakh children across the country in over 1000 schools,was launched on September 20 in Pune. The heritage walk conducted by INTACH on this occasion saw around 100 school children participating in it. The group,which started its walk from Shaniwarwada,proceeded to areas like Kasba Peth,Tambat Ali,Nana Wada and so on. Speaking more about the same,Supriya Goturkar,INTACH coordinator,Pune Chapter,says,“The walk was held to instill a sense of pride amongst school-going students and to help them realise the importance of conserving the heritage of the city. The two-and-a-half-hour walk focused on bringing to the forefront the cultural,environmental and architectural aspects of the city.”

Students from Stds VI- IX can participate in the My City My History contest through an essay competition in which they have to highlight the historical background of their city. “Prior to the heritage walk,we also had a Powada singing session,wherein songs about the brave deeds of the Maratha heroes were sung by Shahir Suryavanshi and his group,” Goturkar adds.

The entries of the national level essay competition will be screened by judges comprising INTACH and FHE representatives. While the heritage walk on Monday saw students of only the Akanksha Foundation and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir participating,Goturkar says that the essay competition will reach out to over 100 schools in the city. “This is probably the best way to teach history to the children!” she adds.