NEWS
On April 19, 2024, INTACH's Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) held a special workshop for teachers in New Delhi. It was attended by 62 teachers from 60 different schools across the Delhi NCR area. The event started with Ms. Purnima Datt, the principal director of HECS, introducing the organization. This introduction was followed by a film about INTACH that helped explain what the organization does and its structure.
The session series began with Dr. Swapna Liddle, who illuminated the historical conservation efforts in Delhi, critiquing some past projects by British officials. Following her, Prof A.G.K Menon emphasized the crucial role of community involvement in heritage conservation, challenging the teachers to reflect on the impact of their teaching on societal engagement in conservation efforts.Dr. Manu Bhatnagar then took the stage to discuss the symbiotic relationship between natural heritage and cultural contexts, specifically through the lens of the Green Ganga project aimed at reviving the Ganges.
The day also included an insightful tour of INTACH’s Conservation Lab where teachers saw firsthand the ongoing conservation processes.
Further enriching the sessions, Mr. Harish Benjwal detailed INTACH's role in the Jal Shakti Ministry's Gange project, and a pre-recorded presentation by Dr. Sheila Bora highlighted the Brahmaputra's vital influence on the Assam valley.
The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates and books, and a commemorative group photograph, marking the day’s fruitful exchange of knowledge and ideas on heritage conservation.
On the occasion of World Heritage Day on the 18th of April 2024, during the 14th Pupul Jayakar Memorial Lecture at IIC New Delhi, 5 new publications of HECS were released by Dr. Darlie Koshy, the Chairman Maj. Gen. (retd.) L.K. Gupta, and the Member Secretary Dr. C.T. Mishra. These included Moloya Braids a River Journey - Know Assam - A Story cum Colouring Book, and the Regional Language Newsletters (2022-2023) in 4 languages - Punjabi, Assamese, Gujarati and Marathi. The publications were appreciated by all present.
PHOTOGRAPHS:
With an objective to engage, educate and empower children through meaningful films, SIFFCY (Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth) initiated by Smile Foundation is being held between 9th – 16th April 2024 PHD House, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi in association with the EU. As part of the festival, 15 films from INTACH’s FilmIt India project from all over the country were selected for screening on the opening day of the festival. The films were based on environment and family values and peace. Students of Shiksha Education Centre attended the screening. Representing INTACH, Mr. Abhishek Das and Ms. Christina Shangne attended the screening and spoke to the audience about INTACH and the FilmIt project.
The College Heritage Awareness Workshop was conducted by HECS at the INTACH headquarters in New Delhi and was attended by 21 students and 2 teachers from the Shiv Nadar University. The workshop started with screening of the INTACH film followed by brief introduction was given by Ms Purnima Datt, Principal Director, HECS INTACH, who gave an informative session on INTACH. Ms Purnima Datt spoke about the responsibilities of citizens to look after the heritage, and different facets of heritage - natural, built, material and living. She spoke about the complex geographical diversity.She shared many interesting pieces of information regarding different forms of material and living heritage . Students were also informed about how they could care for each kind of heritage. Maj.Gen. (Retd) L.K. Gupta, Chairman of INTACH, spoke about the diversity of India. Ms Christina Shangne, Senior Programme Coordinator of HECS, explained about the workshops conducted all throughout the country for schools, colleges and teachers and of the ways they could volunteer at INTACH or work on programmes within their institutions. The next session was held by the Ms Nanki Kaur , Programme Coordinator of HECS who spoke about the heritage clubs, how to promote awareness about heritages and their action plans according to the different types of heritages.
The students went on a visit to the Conservation Labs to the INTACH Conservation Institute. Here the students were shown how different materials are conserved. Then the students were taken on a heritage walk to Lodhi Gardens by Ms Vaishnavi Singh, Ms Nanki Kaur and Ms Andrea Elizabeth Mathew, Programme Coordinators of HECS. The workshop ended with a group photograph.
INTACH Saraipali Chapter observed the World Wildlife Day, March 3, 2024, by organizing organized a trip to Gomarda Sanctuary for 70 students, 10 teachers, and 10 parents, led by coordinator Yashwant Kumar Chaudhary. The tour's primary objectives were instill sensitivity towards wildlife among the participants and also to conserve, promote animals, birds, and forest resources while raising awareness among children. During the tour, students encountered some wildlife, including Sambar, Gaur, Deer, Bear, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Jackal, and Monkey. Experienced guides provided insights into Gomarda Sanctuary's features, explaining various trees, medicinal plants, and wildlife. The children explored the dense forest, listened to bird sounds, observed pond biodiversity, and enjoyed games. The picturesque Madosilli Waterfall, 30-foot Watch Tower with Rest House, Khapan Reservoir, Thipa Waterfall, and Bamdai Mountain added to the memorable experience.
The tour also aimed to enhance understanding of climate change through forests, and participants pledged to contribute to wildlife conservation. The success of the program was attributed to the support of convenors, co-coordinators, life members, teachers, parents, and forest department staff. Pushpanjali Chaudhary, a life member of INTACH, expressed gratitude in the vote of thanks, concluding the event on a positive note.
INTACH Saraipali Chapter organized a program on "World Wetlands Day" on 02 February 2024, centered on the theme "Wetlands and Human Wellbeing." Led by Yashwant Kumar Choudhary, Convener of INTACH Saraipali Chapter, the event featured lectures, painting competitions, speeches, and slogan contests, engaging school and college students. The participants showcased their creativity and knowledge on wetlands, biodiversity, and environmental conservation.
The following day, students enjoyed a tour to Kodar Dam Reservoir, Forest Awareness Center, and Archaeological City Sirpur. The excursion included water outings, boat rides, and insights into biodiversity conservation. Students also gained knowledge about camping, tourism, and explored the archaeological heritage of Sirpur. Forest Department officials provided valuable information on wetlands and Ramsar.
The program aimed to raise awareness about environmental protection, promote wetland conservation, and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Convener Yashwant Kumar Chaudhary emphasized the crucial role of wetlands in supporting biodiversity, providing essential resources, and contributing to sustainable development. The lectures also focused on water conservation, benefiting 75 students, 5 teachers, and 5 INTACH members. Program coordinator Yashwant Kumar Chaudhary expressed gratitude to all participants, highlighting the importance of wetland conservation for a sustainable future.
INTACH Saraipali Chapter organized a one-day heritage conservation tour on 14/01/2024 for 108 school children and 08 teachers. The tour aimed to raise awareness about heritage conservation and included visits to Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum in Raipur, the Botanical Garden in Naya Raipur, Jungle Safari Zoo, Purkhauti Muktangan, Chandrakhuri Kaushalya Mata temple, and Chhattisgarh Science Center. Students learned about ancient artifacts, tribal culture, and scientific concepts while enjoying cultural and spiritual experiences. The program successfully provided insights into Chhattisgarh's rich heritage and fostered a sense of cultural appreciation among the participants.
The College Volunteer Workshop was conducted by HECS INTACH in collaboration with INTACH Himachal Pradesh State Chapter and NIT Hamirpur and was attended by 35 students and teachers of NIT Hamirpur.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Archana Santosh, the Registrar of NITH, Mr. Anoop Kumar, the Dean of Faculty Welfare, Dr. Bhanu M. Marwaha, Head of the Architecture Department, Ms. Maalvika Pathania, Convenor INTACH Himachal Pradesh State Chapter, Ms. Purnima Datt, Principal Director, HECS INTACH and the faculty of the university. Ms. Maalvika Pathania started her presentation on the heritage of Himachal Pradesh. Ms. Purnima Datt spoke next about India’s vast natural, built heritage, material heritage, and living heritage.
After lunch, Ms. Purnima Datt and Ms. Nanki Kaur from HECS started their session on the kinds of architecture found in India. This was followed by a session on Volunteerism where students were informed of the ways they could create awareness about heritage.
In the interactive group activity the students presented well-designed activities on the local Kodiyala handloom community, the revival of local crafts, the culture and crafts of various states, and the Gaddi culture.
On Day 2, the first session was held by Mr. TS Randhawa, Consultant, INTACH Knowledge Centre on the Vernacular Heritage of the Himalayas. He spoke of the diversity of Indian vernacular heritage and focused on hill architecture. Following this, the students were taken on a site visit to study the local settlement of Jhaniari in Hamirpur.
Day 3 started with a session on Colonial Architecture of Shimla by Mr. Raaja Bhasin, Co Convenor of INTACH Himachal Pradesh State Chapter. He spoke about the historical significance and architectural style of the colonial structures. Day 4 entailed of the students continuing their work on their chosen sites and study topics.
On the last day of the workshop, the students presented their projects to the professors and Ms. Maalvika Pathania. The workshop concluded with valedictory ceremony, where all the participants were felicitated by INTACH.
PICTURES:
The Film Festival at Kochi was held at The Kerala Museum on 14th February 2024. 62 participants from 11 schools attended the festival. The programme began with a welcome address by Mr. Biley Menon, Co-convenor, Kochi Chapter. He welcomed all the schools to the programme and told them about the history of INTACH, the Kochi Chapter and HECS division. He talked about INTACH’s founding members and INTACH’s role in conservation of heritage. He then introduced Ms. Aditi Nayar, Director, Kerala Museum. Aditi welcomed the schools to the museum and talked about the museum’s long standing association with INTACH. She talked about the museum activities and welcomed all the schools for all the future museum activities. She talked about the art and culture and the need to preserve it. Mr. Abhishek Das, HECS, INTACH, addressed the participants. He spoke about HECS’ activities and the FilmIt India programme in brief. He talked about the initial years of the project and its expansion over the years. He also mentioned about the start of the project in Kochi in 2018 and how they have come a long way.
After the introductory session, students shared their experiences through speeches and poems. They shared about the challenges and hurdles faced while filming and also the success stories. The Kochi films were screened next. A short refreshment break was given next.
Post the break, some films from across the country were screened. Some students and teachers shared which films they liked the most.
Aditi introduced the Chief Guest – Ms. Sajitha Rasheed, Founder and Chief Mentor of Mind Mojo. Ms. Sajitha congratulated the students for making wonderful films and wished them luck for the future. Mr. K J Sohan, Convenor, Kerala State Chapter then addressed the students. He told them about the importance of preserving heritage and how their films would go a long way in achieving the same. He congratulated the schools and told them that they are doing good work. He also mentioned about the Kochi Biennale and what a good experience it had been for the schools when their short films were screened during the Biennale. The schools were then awarded certificates, books and prizes by Mr. Sohan, Ms. Rasheed and Ms. Nayar. Mr. Menon gave the formal vote of thanks. He thanked the schools, HECS team and the Kerala Museum. The programme ended with everyone singing the National Anthem.
The Film Festival in Hyderabad was held at Gitanjali Devashray, Secunderabad, on 13th February 2024. 88 participants from 15 schools from the city attended the festival. The programme began with a welcome address by Ms. Sujatha Ashwin, Teacher Coordinator, Gitanjali Devashray. She welcomed all the schools and INTACH officials. Mrs. Kasturi Chatterjee, Principal and Mrs. Anjali Sharma, Head Mistress, Gitanjali Devashray were also present. Ms. Anuradha Reddy, Convenor, Hyderabad Chapter and Mr. Abhishek Das, HECS, INTACH were felicitated next. The students of the host school presented a dance performance. Ms. Reddy welcomed all the schools and talked about the various INTACH activities. She thanked the hosts for making excellent arrangements and appreciated the efforts of all the schools. Mr. Abhishek talked about the Filmit project and its journey through the years. He talked how the project was initiated in the year 2008 with a handful of schools in Delhi and slowly spread to various cities in India. After the introductory session, some students shared their experiences through speeches and poems. Mr. Pranav Pingle Reddy, award winning Producer and Director, who was invited as the Chief Guest was felicitated next. Some of the films made by the Hyderabad schools were screened thereafter. This was followed by a short refreshment break. Some more students shared their experience of film making. The overall films selection was screened next.
Mr. Pranav, in his address spoke with the students and shared his observations. He remarked that he has had a close association with INTACH FilmIt over the years and said that he enjoyed watching all the films. He liked the topics that were chosen and gave some inputs on how to use the camera and making ‘sound’ better. He said that sound plays a very important aspect of film making and one should make sure that there are no compromises. He also shared about his own journey as a film maker and talked about his upcoming films. He congratulated all the students for doing excellent work.
Mrs. Kasturi Chatterjee also addressed and congratulated the students. The schools were then awarded certificates, books and prizes, which were presented by Ms. Anuradha Reddy, Mrs. Chatterjee, Mr. Pranav and Mrs. Sharma. The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Sujatha followed by the national anthem.
The Chennai FilmIt India film festival was held at KSN Secondary School, Thiruvanmiyur, on 12th February 2023. 70 participants from 11 schools attended. The programme began with a prayer song by three students of the host school. This was followed by a welcome address by Mr. Abhishek Das, INTACH. He welcomed all the participants and the Chief Guest, Ms. Usha Kris, renowned photographer and INTACH member. Ms. Sharmila Ganesan, Co-convenor, INTACH Tamil Nadu State Chapter addressed the participants and introduced the Chief Guest. She spoke about INTACH in brief and thanked the school and the HECS team. Abhishek talked about the Filmit project and its journey through the last 16 years. He mentioned that Chennai has been a special city and many good films have been made by the students here.
After the introductory session, some students shared their experiences through speeches and poems. The Chennai films were screened next. Some more students shared their experience of film making. They recited poems and their experiences while making the films on different topics. The overall films selection was screened after that. Ms. Kris was then invited to share her observations about the films. She started her speech by talking about the immense heritage of our special country and that the students are doing a great job in its preservation. She said that very interesting subjects were chosen by the students while making the films. She asked them if they could read and write in their mother tongue and most of them replied in the affirmative. She then talked about the great country that India is and that we were mainly subjugated and history was written only by the rulers. But, many people are not aware of the rulers of southern Indian subcontinent. She said she was glad to see that from her generation to the current generation things are slowly changing. She also talked about a few great women rulers and their immense contribution to India’s heritage. She ended by saying that she was glad that the students are making films about India’s heritage and that they are a part of the reawakening of India. The schools were then awarded certificates and books. These were presented by Ms. Usha and Ms. Prabha, Vice Principal, KSN Sec. School. Ms. Prabha also congratulated the schools and said that it was a great pleasure to get a chance to have INTACH programmes at her school. Abhishek gave the formal vote of thanks. He thanked the Chief Guest, the host school, INTACH team and all the participating schools.
The 16th FILMIT India Festival, hosted by Heritage Education and Communication Services in partnership with INTACH Greater Mumbai Chapter, took place at Khadi Gramodyog for eight regional schools. Distinguished guests, including Ms. Katyayani Agarwal, Ms. Anita Yewale, Mr. Sandeep Sethi, and Mr. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, graced the event. Students enthusiastically recounted their experiences with the FILMIT program, highlighting the profound impact of local heritage on their filmmaking journey. The festival showcased films created by Mumbai students, celebrating their creativity and dedication. Ms. Katyayini Agarwal appreciated the efforts of the students, teachers and everybody involved with the project. She noted INTACH Mumbai's restoration work at Khadi Bhawan, the festival venue, while Ms. Anita Yewale highlighted their heritage walks and successful craft film festival collaboration with CSMVS. Mr. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, applauded HECS division, schools, and students for their dedication to FILMIT India. He shared a personal connection to Khadi Gramodyog, the venue, having participated in "Bharat Ek Khoj" filming there. Reflecting on the venue's historical significance, he noted the changing times from tramways to metro lines. Mr. Shivendra praised a film on tiger conservation and highlighted his familial ties to "Bismillah." Encouraging Mumbai students, he emphasized observing surroundings for filmmaking inspiration, calling it an expression of visual arts. He urged students to believe in their filmmaking journey and learn from existing films for improvement. Mr. Sethi commended the film "Drama Queen" for its poignant portrayal of theatre’s significance in society. He encouraged students to explore topics related to heritage monuments, fostering awareness and appreciation for India's rich cultural legacy. The event concluded with an award ceremony, followed by heartfelt gratitude expressed by Ms. Purnima Datt, Principal Director, HECS, INTACH marking a memorable conclusion at Khadi Bhawan's charming venue.
Workshop Photographs:
Sharada Mandir School hosted the Goa Film festival on 8th February 2024. It was attended by approximately 65 teachers and students of 11 schools of Goa. The Chief Guest for the festival was Mr Srinivas Mangipudi. The occasion was also graced by The event commenced with the welcome address by Ms Purnima Datt,Principal Director, INTACH HECS where she introduced the programme and briefed about the Film festival and how it expanded in so many cities. Ms Sharmila Umesh, Principal SharadaMandir School greeted the audience and mentioned that the Filmit project started 14 years ago in Goa and the school has been actively participating in the programme. She appreciated INTACH’s effort in encouraging students to learn about heritage. Ms Fatima Da Silva Gracias, Convenor Goa Chapter, spoke about the Lady Helen Hamlyn and the restoration works undertaken by INTACH at Reis Magos Fort and St. Anne’s Church. This was followed by experiences sharing by students from each school. Students shared their varied experiences of exploring the art of filmmaking. This was followed by screening of best films of Goa and later overall best films from across India were showcased. Later Mr Mangipudi took over and shared his experience of attending such kind of event for the first time. He was overjoyed to be a part of the programme and congratulated the children on making such amazing films. story. Each participating school received awards and certificates from the esteemed guests. And the programme ended with a formal vote of thanks by Ms Datt and a group photograph.
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The Baroda Filmit festival 2023-2024 was organised by Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) Division of INTACH in collaboration with INTACH Baroda Chapter and Navrachana International School Vadodara, CBSE. The programme was attended by over 100 participants, teachers, and guests. The FILMIT Festival began with a brief overview of the FILMIT project by the students of the host school and an introduction of the guests – Dr. Arjun Singh Mehta (Chief Guest), Mr. Sanjeev Joshi (Convenor INTACH Vadodara Chapter), Ms. Tarisha Desai (Co-Convenor INTACH Vadodara Chapter), Ms. Christina Shangne (Sr. Programme Coordinator, HECS INTACH), Ms. Nanki Kaur (programme Coordinator, HECS INTACH), and Mr. Theophane D’Souza (Principal, NISV).
Mr. Sanjeev Joshi welcomed everybody and gave an introduction to INTACH and FILMIT. This was followed by a Kashmiri dance performance by young students from the host school. Ms. Christina then invited students from each participating school to speak on their experiences of making films as part of FILMIT. This was followed by a screening of the Best Films made by the schools of Vadodara.
After a short refreshment break, the Overall Best Films from across the country were screened. These films were appreciated by all and students even spoke about what they learnt through them. Mr. Sanjeev Joshi proceeded to screen the newly-made film on INTACH to celebrate its 40 years. The Chief Guest, Dr. Arjun Singh Mehta was then invited to share his views and advice for the students. He appreciated the brilliant work done by the students and their efforts at covering such interesting topics. He commended many students in the audience for their skills and even provided them with tips to improve their films for the next FILMIT session. This was followed by the felicitation ceremony where the winners from each school were announced. Each school was presented with their certificates and a set of books. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Christina Shangne and Mr. Joshi, felicitation of the guests and the national anthem.
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The 16th FILMIT India Festival in Ahmedabad, held in collaboration with INTACH Ahmedabad Chapter and Heritage Education and Communication Services (HECS), took place on February 6, 2024, at Shreyas Foundation. Seven schools from the city participated in the festival. The program commenced with a prayer, followed by an introduction by Ms. Nanki Kaur. Mr. Pawan Bakeri, former Convenor of INTACH Ahmedabad Chapter, acknowledged the students’ efforts and emphasized the importance of film-making as a means to explore the country’s diverse culture and heritage. The festival featured distinguished guests, including Mr. Manuel M DeLas Hera (an accomplished architect from ETSAM, Madrid, Spain), Ms. Sanskruti Panchal (Co-Founder of LxS and Founder of Drsyata Consultancy), and Ms. Fanny Servolle (French Interior designer). During subsequent sessions, Mr. Manuel praised students’ creativity and shared his film-making journey, while Ms. Sanskruti highlighted heritage conservation efforts in Ahmedabad’s old city. Ms. Utpala Desai encouraged curiosity and creativity among students. The principal of Shreyas Foundation Ms. Pratiba also shared some few words of encouragement. The festival showcased student presentations on film-making experiences and screened the best films from the city and the overall FILMIT India project 2023-2024. The event concluded with the distribution of award certificates and books to all participating schools.
The 16th FILMIT India Festival was organized in Jaipur by Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) at The Palace School, Jaipur. The festival was attended by students and teachers of 15 schools. The programme began with an introduction by a student of the host school followed by Saraswati vandana and lighting of lamp.
Ms. Swati Deora and Ms. Vaishnavi Singh welcomed everyone and spoke about the Filmit project and gave a brief about the project and its journey since it began in 2008. Through well prepared speeches and poetry, students recounted the fun of filmmaking, how they discovered their cultural heritage, and their Filmit experience.
Mrs. Urvashi Warman, Principal, The Palace School welcomed the Chief Guest Dr. Rima Hooja, Director at the MSMS II Museum City Palace Jaipur, and Ms. Rama Datt, Executive Trustee, MSMS II Museum City Palace Jaipur. Best films of Jaipur city and some overall best films from across the country were showcased. Audience was left in awe after the screening. Dr Rima Hooja expressed her enjoyment of watching films on Jaipur's heritage and commended INTACH’s efforts in creating awareness among young minds.
This was followed by the felicitation ceremony where the students were presented with certificates and books. A formal vote of thanks was done the host school and the HECS team. The workshop concluded with expressions of gratitude from Mrs.Warman and presented a token of thanks to Ms Swati and Ms. Vaishnavi.
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The Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) of INTACH organised the 16th Filmit India Festival on February 1, 2024, at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. Students from over 30 schools were a part of the Filmit India Festival in Delhi for 2023–24. The festival was a celebration of their efforts and focused on showcasing films made by students on the theme of the natural, material, living, and built heritages of their regions.
The programme began with an introduction by Mr. Abhishek Das (Senior Programme Manager), and the welcome address was given by Ms. Purnima Datt (Principal Director, Heritage Education and Communication Service, INTACH), who spoke about the Filmit journey and its expansion to 11 cities: Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Varanasi, and Kochi. Thereafter, students shared the joys of filming, how they learned about heritage, and their Filmit experience in the form of dance, speech, and poems. The films were showcased from both Delhi and from across the country.
The Chief guest was Ms. Rintu Thomas (an eminent film maker) and Guests of Honour were Ms. Himanshi Saini (film maker and video producer), Ms. Parul Munjal (head of INTACH Heritage Academy) and Ms. Bhadra Sinha (senior journalist and classical dancer). Ms. Rintu Thomas commended the students and their films, saying that they expressed and executed their ideas really well and talked about the struggles of making films and documentaries. Ms. Himanshi Saini spoke about her experience as a school student participating in Filmit years ago and how it inspired her to pursue her career in filmmaking. Ms. Bhadra Sinha encouraged the students to continue on their creative journey and keep this creative fire burning throughout. She was impressed by not just the films made by the students on various topics of heritage but also the sheer enthusiasm they showcased at the festival. Ms. Parul Munjal spoke about how we should remember to connect with the idea of what we feel is valuable, and the opportunity to create these films is the first step to developing the ability to see, do, and observe the most critical things that life has to offer. Mr. K. N. Srivastava appreciated the children and shared how this encourages students to develop creative thinking and imbibe the idea of preserving and knowing heritage and culture and how heritage plays an important role in building good citizens. Maj.Gen. (Retd.) L.K. Gupta spoke about the importance of heritages, traditions, and languages and gave the best wishes to the students for the efforts they had put in. The address by the chief guests was followed by the felicitation and award ceremony for the students.
The INTACH FilmIt Festival at Kolkata was held at Birla High School on 31st January, 2024. 67 participants from 14 schools of the city attended the festival. The programme began with an introduction by a student of the host school. This was followed by self composed song performed by two students of the host school. Mr. Abhishek Das welcomed everyone and spoke about the Filmit project. He gave a brief about the project and its journey since it began in 2008. He then introduced the Chief Guest Mr. Ashoke Vishwanathan, renowned national award winning film director. After the introductory session, students shared their experiences through speeches and poems. They talked about the how they made their films. The Kolkata films were screened next. A few more students shared their film making experience after which some films from across the country were screened. Ms. Kanchana Mukhopadhyay, Co-convenor, Calcutta Chapter addressed the students. She appreciated the films made by them and suggested that they should also explore the vast heritage of the local towns and countryside as well. Mr. GM Kapur, Convenor, Calcutta Chapter also addressed the students. He reiterated what Ms. Kanchana said and shared with the students how the project had began in the city when schools were given handycams to shoot films. They have come a long way from there and he congratulated them for the journey thus far and wished them the best for the upcoming years. Mr. Ashoke Vishwanathan spoke at length with the students. He remarked that film making is a creative occupation. He also talked about the difference between film, movie and cinema. He also explained what a documentary is - a creative interpretation of reality. He explained these terms through various examples. He also critically broke down the films that were screened. He appreciated the subjects chosen and gave advice about the technicalities and what can be made better. He congratulated the students for their efforts and thanked INTACH for inviting him to the programme. The schools were felicitated by Mr. Kapur, Ms. Kanchana and Mr. Vishwanathan. Awards, certificates and sets of books were presented to each school. The programme ended with the vote of thanks being delivered by Mr. Das.
To mark the 40th Years of INTACH and the Foundation Day, HECS administered the INTACH pledge for the entire staff at the headquarters on the 29th of January 2024. The two new publications of HECS 'The Hornbill Warrior - Know Nagaland (Story cum Colouring Book) in Pochury and Tenyidie languages were also released on this momentous occasion.
The Film Festival at Varanasi was held at W.H. Smith Memorial School, Sigra on 29th January, 2024. 17 schools from Varanasi and 3 schools from Ayodhya attended the festival. The programme started with a welcome song and the lighting of the lamp ceremony by the guests. The guests were felicitated thereafter. The teacher coordinator MsRoopali and MsUtkarsha welcomed everyone and the INTACH representatives, Mr. Ashok Kapoor, Convenor Varanasi Chapter, Ms Vaishnavi, HECS and other members. Ms Vaishnavi greeted the audience and talked briefly about the Filmit project. The principal of W.H. Smith Memorial School, Ms Anita Pauline Deywas also the Chief Guest of the event along with MrNirmal Joshi. She motivated the students on the grounds of preserving the heritage. the lines of She thanked INTACH for starting this project.
Students from each school made short presentations about their filmit experience. It included self-composed poems, speeches and accounts from their film-making journey. The best films from Varanasi and Ayodhyawere screened. Some more students then shared their experience followed by screening of some of the overall best films from different participating cities. The award ceremony included certificates, books and prizes which were presented to the schools by Ms. Anita, Mr. Nirmal Joshi and Mr. Ashok Kapoor.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Nirmal Joshi. He thanked the host School and teachers for their exemplary efforts to make the festival a grand success. A group photograph was taken at the end.
Workshop Photograph
The 16th FILMIT India Festival, a collaborative effort by Heritage Education and Communication Services (HECS), INTACH Chandigarh, and Ambala Chapters, unfolded at St Stephen’s School, hosting 10 participating schools. The event commenced with a warm welcome from Ms Nanki Kaur, acknowledging the presence of dignitaries, including INTACH Chandigarh Convenor Mr V.K Kapoor and Ambala Chapter Convenor Col R.D. Singh. Chief guests Ms Sumit Kaur, an esteemed architect, and Ms. Ashima Raizada, an artist, added grace to the occasion. The festival featured insightful sessions, including student presentations on their FILMIT program experiences and the impact of local heritage.
Participants from Chandigarh and Ambala schools expressed gratitude for the opportunity to explore heritage through film-making. Notable guests, Mr V.K Kapoor and Col R.D. Singh praised the students' dedication and emphasized the importance of community involvement and heritage preservation. The event also included film screenings, with students showcasing their creative endeavors. In the subsequent sessions, overall best films from the FILMIT India project 2023-24 were lauded, followed by inspiring speeches from Ms Sumit Kaur and Ms Ashima Raizada. They commended the students' dedication and encouraged them to continue their creative pursuits. The conclusion featured Ms Deepika Gandhi urging Chandigarh students to enhance their film-making efforts, emphasizing the significance of utilizing tools like AI effectively. The workshop concluded with awards, certificates, and expressions of gratitude from Ms Nanki Kaur and Mr. Pascal Daniels, fostering anticipation for even more impactful films in the coming years.
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The College Volunteer Workshop was conducted at the INTACH headquarters in New Delhi and was attended by 94 students and teachers from 12 colleges of Delhi University. The INTACH film was screened in the beginning to tell the students a little more about what INTACH does. After this, a brief introduction was given by Ms. Purnima Datt, Principal Director, HECS INTACH, who gave an informative session on “What is Heritage” where she spoke at length about the different facets of heritage - natural, built, material and living.
The next session on ‘The History of Modern Archaeological Study and Preservation in Colonial Delhi’ was conducted by Dr. Swapna Liddle, an eminent historian, author, and former convenor of INTACH Delhi Chapter. She spoke about the various forms of conservation and preservation that took place in Delhi over the centuries, starting from the period of the Delhi Sultanate. Her session was augmented by numerous archival images of Delhi and its historic sites.
After a short break, the third session on ‘Built Heritage of Delhi and the Role of Citizens in its Protection (Focus on the INTACH Charter)’ was conducted by Prof. A.G. K. Menon, Architect, Professor, and principal author of INTACH Charter of conservation. He spoke about the importance of conserving buildings and sites holistically and in the context of India.
The next session ‘Objects of the Ancient Period of the National Museum (with focus on Buddhist-Hindu artefacts)’ was conducted by Dr. Abira Bhattacharya, Assistant Curator, Dept. Anthropology, National Museum, Delhi. She spoke in detail about the Buddhist museum at the National museum and elaborated on various artefacts present in the Buddhist collection of the national museum. This session was followed by a visit to the Conservation Labs where students were shown how material heritage is conserved and restored.
After lunch, Dr. Narayani Gupta, historian and former director of the INTACH Documentation Centre, conducted the next session on ‘Romance of Ruins and the Boredom of Textbooks’. In her session, she spoke about the architecture of Delhi, its history, and its stalwarts. She said we should look at things and admire, criticize, and appreciate our heritage and architecture in an intelligent way. In conclusion, she reiterated that we must remember that ruins will become important if we build a community around them.
The next session was held by the HECS team where students were informed of the ways they could volunteer at INTACH or work on programmes within their institutions.
In the interactive group activity that was conducted, the students were asked to propose programmes they can organise to promote heritage and what help they require from INTACH while doing so. The students presented various innovative ideas. This was followed by the felicitation ceremony where the students were presented with certificates and publications by the Chairman and the Member Secretary.
The Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS), INTACH in collaboration with INTACH Murshidabad Chapter conducted a two day Teacher Training Workshop at Murshidabad District Journalists’ Association, Berhampore on 9th and 10th January, 2024. 37 teachers from 19 schools participated in the workshop.
The workshop began with an introduction by Dr. Jaydev Biswas, Journalist and Member, INTACH Murshidabad Chapter followed by the welcome address by Mr. Balaknath Bhattacharyya, Convenor INTACH Murshidabad Chapter. He spoke about the objective of the workshop and gave a brief about Murshidabad Chapter. Bouquets were then presented to the guests and resource persons. The first session was conducted by Dr. Mausumi Bannerjee, Curator, Murshidabad District Museum. She discussed heritage and history of Murshidabad from the point of view of archaeological evidences preserved in the Murshidabad District Museum. She showed images of various artefacts showcased in the museum and spoke about them. At the end of her lecture, she invited the schools to visit the museum to learn about the history of their own city.
Post this, the INTACH film was screened. The next session was on the ‘Types of Heritage: An Overview’ conducted by Mr. Abhishek Das, INTACH HECS. He asked the teachers what they understood by heritage and what it meant to them. The session offered a detailed description focusing on the four aspects of India’s heritage. The session also highlighted the fundamental duties and their emphasis on preserving heritage. Post lunch, the presentation focused on heritage education and the importance and need of incorporating heritage education as an active part of school curriculum so that children can learn heritage values and imbibe them in their day to day life. In the last session, the participants for divided into four groups (natural, built, material and living) to discuss for the next day’s group activity.
On the second day of the workshop, a heritage walk was carried out at the world famous Hazarduari Palace. The group visited the palace complex and museum. The walk was guided by Mr. Balaknath Bhattacharyya took the participants around the area. After the walk, the group returned to the venue of the workshop and setting up of heritage club and list of HECS’ publications, youngintach website, national programme sand social media were discussed by Ms. Christina Shangne, INTACH HECS. The teachers were given time to prepare for their presentations. The teachers presented some interesting group activities highlighting the heritage of Murshidabad.
The workshop ended with distribution of resource materials and certificates to participants.
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On the occasion of the New Year, the HECS Calendar 2024 was released at INTACH by the Chairman, Maj. Gen. (retd) L.K. Gupta and the Member Secretary, Dr. C.T. Misra on 2nd January 2024. This calendar is based on the unique traditional utensils of India, all taken from the student entries of the National Programme Khana Khazana: My Food Heritage which took place in 2023.
Khana: My Food Diary, a HECS publication based on India’s culinary heritage, was also released by the Chairman and the Member Secretary. This diary is a compilation of some of the best entries sent by students for the National Programme Khana Khazana: My Food Heritage.
Both the publications were greatly appreciated by INTACH HQ and the Chapters.
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