Fatehgarh Sahib, October 6, 2013(Prof. Bikramjit Singh Sandhu): Gurmeet S Rai, Conservation Architect and Director of the
Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative (CRCI) spoke to the students of
local Mata Gujri College and Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University on the need to preserve monuments during a two weeks workshop organized by University of Surrey and Cultural Resource Conservation
Initiative (CRCI ) on ‘Cultural memories and amnesia at Aam Khas Bagh in Sirhind’ .Historically, kings have constructed monuments and gone. Now it is up to us whether we want to prolong or reduce their longevity,” said Rai, who visited Aam Khas Bagh. According to Rai, “When one undertakes conservation, one should not destroy the historical elements. These days in the name of conservation, the original structure is changed.
Instead of the original mud, marble is being used. Hence the beauty of the structure is ruined”.
A postgraduate in preservation of architecture from Delhi School of Planning Rai has started a movement, Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative. The manifesto’s theme is: ‘preserve the planet’. She wants more and more people to become aware of their heritage and conserve it. “We can bring in change only if there is a strong political will. Without government support, individuals cannot take up the gigantic task of conservation of monuments”. She exhorted the students to form pressure groups to bring in the required change . While interacting with people Rai said development in the country has taken place at the cost of heritage. Even as industrialisation and mechanisation take over the new socio-economic order, conservation of historical structures takes a backseat. She says that without local community’s participation, conservation of heritage buildings cannot be a success. “After all, conservation is a religio-socio-cultural issue. The local community has sentiments attached with the heritage buildings, and prefer their say in the conservation plans. The balance between history and cultural sensitivity has to be maintained,” she says.
“I prefer to involve the local population in the conservation works that I undertake. Their cultural and social experience proves helpful in restructuring the buildings. They may not have a sense of history, but they are not disengaged to their heritage,” she adds.
During the workshop Prof. Anupreet Singh Tiwana, Prof. Bikramjit Singh Sandhu from Mata Gujri College and Prof. Bir Bikram Singh of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University interacted with students the visitors at
Aaam Khas Bagh.
local Mata Gujri College and Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University on the need to preserve monuments during a two weeks workshop organized by University of Surrey and Cultural Resource Conservation
Initiative (CRCI ) on ‘Cultural memories and amnesia at Aam Khas Bagh in Sirhind’ .Historically, kings have constructed monuments and gone. Now it is up to us whether we want to prolong or reduce their longevity,” said Rai, who visited Aam Khas Bagh. According to Rai, “When one undertakes conservation, one should not destroy the historical elements. These days in the name of conservation, the original structure is changed.
Instead of the original mud, marble is being used. Hence the beauty of the structure is ruined”.
A postgraduate in preservation of architecture from Delhi School of Planning Rai has started a movement, Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative. The manifesto’s theme is: ‘preserve the planet’. She wants more and more people to become aware of their heritage and conserve it. “We can bring in change only if there is a strong political will. Without government support, individuals cannot take up the gigantic task of conservation of monuments”. She exhorted the students to form pressure groups to bring in the required change . While interacting with people Rai said development in the country has taken place at the cost of heritage. Even as industrialisation and mechanisation take over the new socio-economic order, conservation of historical structures takes a backseat. She says that without local community’s participation, conservation of heritage buildings cannot be a success. “After all, conservation is a religio-socio-cultural issue. The local community has sentiments attached with the heritage buildings, and prefer their say in the conservation plans. The balance between history and cultural sensitivity has to be maintained,” she says.
“I prefer to involve the local population in the conservation works that I undertake. Their cultural and social experience proves helpful in restructuring the buildings. They may not have a sense of history, but they are not disengaged to their heritage,” she adds.
During the workshop Prof. Anupreet Singh Tiwana, Prof. Bikramjit Singh Sandhu from Mata Gujri College and Prof. Bir Bikram Singh of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University interacted with students the visitors at
Aaam Khas Bagh.
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