NEWS
The recently concluded Salem Cultural Fest 2026 was celebrated on 25/01/2026 with the usual traditional Kolam competition, flower braiding workshop. In addition to that workshops for various other crafts and art forms were also conducted. Tanjore painting, floral crafts and decoration, pottery making, pottery painting, traditional Mehendi were the activities conducted. A traditional Shandy was conducted in which children sold home grown veggies and homemade traditional food in their own stalls. All traditional games like spin top, marbles, ludo, Pallankuzhi, 5 stones, Kite flying, Pot breaking, running cycle tyre etc. were also played. Children enjoyed the celebration and the cultural fest had a good footfall. Children also made cloth banners to avoid plastic banners. No plastic was used, no solid waste was generated and even food stalls did not use any industrially made cups, only leaf cups were used that was even that was sent for compost. This was our step towards protecting our Natural heritage.
The Goa FILMIT Festival was held at Don Bosco Senior Secondary School, with participation from 12 teachers and 54 students representing 10 schools.
The programme began with Ms Fatima Gracias, Convenor INTACH Goa Chapter, speaking about the ongoing Goa projects and the support extended by HECS. This was followed by an introduction to the FILMIT project and HECS activities by Ms Purnima Datt, Principal Director, HECS. The Chief Guest of the event Dr Isabel SR Vas, renowned Goa n author and Theatre Director was then introduced to the audience.
Students from different schools shared their experience of film-making. This was followed by the screening of best films from Goa. The presentations were well received, and several films were particularly appreciated, including Kingfisher Diaries and Goan Heritage. The overall quality of films from across the country was noted as impressive, reflecting the students’ creativity and teamwork.
Ms. Isabel Vas addressed the gathering and appreciated the students for using film as a platform for expression. She spoke about the potential of films as a powerful medium of communication and how theatre and visual storytelling are closely connected. She expressed her delight at being part of the event and thanked Don Bosco for its continued support to the arts. She shared how, for many years, a classroom at the school had been used as a rehearsal space, highlighting the institution’s encouragement of creative expression.
In her interaction with the students, Dr Vas spoke about the importance of the arts in shaping the mind and heart. She reminded them that anyone who paints, dances, or tells stories is an artist. Sharing a personal anecdote, she recalled a student who watched Dead Poets Society and later staged a play inspired by it, titled Seize the Day, about an unconventional teacher. She encouraged students to embrace creativity and not be afraid to be a little unconventional. The event concluded with the prize distribution ceremony followed by a vote of thanks.
Workshop Photographs
The FILMIT India Festival Varanasi was hosted by the Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) and the INTACH Varanasi Chapter at Sant Atulanand Residential Academy (SARA), Shivpur, Varanasi, with participation from twenty-two schools across Varanasi and Ayodhya. The festival commenced with a welcome address by the host school, followed by a vibrant dance performance by the students. The guests were then introduced, including INTACH Varanasi Convenor Mr. Ashok Kapoor, Co-Convenor Mr. Nirmal Joshi, and the Principal of SARA. This was followed by the ceremonial lamp lighting.
Mr. Ashok Kapoor addressed the gathering, describing FILMIT as a significant and meaningful initiative in spreading heritage awareness among young minds. The HECS team then introduced the FILMIT project and appreciated the enthusiastic participation of schools from Varanasi and Ayodhya.
Students were invited to share their experiences of working on the FILMIT project. Through poems, speeches, and stories, they reflected on their filmmaking journey, the rich tapestry of heritage in Varanasi, and the nuances of documenting culture through film. This was followed by the screening of selected films from Varanasi and Ayodhya.
The award ceremony followed, during which certificates, books, and prizes were presented to the schools by Mr. Rati Shankar Tripathi, Mr. Nirmal Joshi, and Mr. Ashok Kapoor. More students then shared their experiences, followed by the screening of some of the overall best films from different participating cities.
The Chief Guest of Honour, Mr. Rati Shankar Tripathi, Chairman of Bharatendu Natak Academy, eminent theatre artist, film actor, and producer, addressed the gathering with an inspiring message. He praised the students’ creativity and cultural sensitivity, emphasizing that cinema is not merely entertainment but a powerful medium for preserving heritage, values, and identity. Heritage, he noted, lives not only in monuments but in collective consciousness and everyday practice. He appreciated INTACH for nurturing cultural awareness and encouraged students to remain creatively expressive while staying rooted in their traditions.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by a group photograph.
The Film Festival at Kochi was held at Kerala Museum on 14th February 2025. A total of 50 participants, including 42 students and 8 teachers from eight schools, attended the festival. The programme began with a warm welcome address by Mr. Biley Menon, Co-convenor of the Kochi Chapter. He welcomed the participating schools and briefly spoke about the work and vision of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). He appreciated the consistent efforts of the Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) division under the leadership of Ms. Purnima Datt, Director (HECS), for conducting heritage awareness activities for schools. Mr. Menon also acknowledged Mr. Abhishek Das for effectively coordinating the Kochi events and thanked the Kerala Museum for its continued collaboration and support in hosting INTACH activities. Mr. Abhishek Das expressed gratitude to the Kochi Chapter and the Kerala Museum for their sustained support. He briefly introduced the objectives of the FilmIt India programme, highlighting how it encourages students to explore and document heritage through filmmaking. Students then shared their experiences through speeches and poems, reflecting their enthusiasm and creativity. The Kochi films were screened next, followed by a short refreshment break. Post the break, selected films from across the country were showcased. Mr. Biley congratulated the students for making wonderful films. He gave them suggestions to make their films in a better way. He spoke in detail about the beginning, middle and ending of a film, the shots and angles and the importance of sound and light. He highlighted various examples from the films that were screened to explain his points. The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates, books, and prizes by Mr. Menon. Mr. Das congratulated all the schools and wished them success. Mr. Menon delivered the formal vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to the schools, the HECS team, and the Kerala Museum. The event ended with the singing of the National Anthem, marking the successful conclusion of the Film Festival at Kochi.
The Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) of INTACH organised the Chennai Filmit Festival on 12th February 2026 at the K S N Sr. Sec. School, Thiruvanmiyur. It was attended by 64 students and 14 teachers from 12 schools. The Chief Guest for the event was Mr. Ramanakumar, a lawyer and CA, who is also an award winning photographer and heads the Friends of Heritage Sites (FoHS) Pallava Chapter. The programme began with a prayer song being recited by the students of the host school. This was followed with a welcome by Mr Abhishek Das. He briefly spoke about the Filmit programme and congratulated the students for making wonderful films. The films made by Chennai schools were screened next. Mr. Das then formally introduced the Chief Guest and also welcomed Ms. Shama, representative from INTACH Chennai Chapter. KSN School Coordinator Ms. Krishnaveni was also present. This was followed by students’ presentations in which they shared their filmit experience in the form of poems/speeches. Two students also did a mime. Some of the films made by students from other cities were screened next.
Mr. Ramanakumar, addressed the gathering and appreciated their films. He said he loved watching their films and suggested the students to make short reels as well based on their films. He said that all film makers are good photographers and asked them to document their heritage wherever they visit in the form of photographs if they are not making a film. He also stressed on the importance of academics and that should always be first. At the end, he thanked INTACH for inviting him for the programme wished students good luck. Ms. Shama also addressed the students and congratulated them for all their efforts. She remarked that she loved watching their films and asked the students to continue making great films on heritage.
This was followed by the award ceremony. All schools were awarded for their films and each student received a participation certificate while the schools were handed a set of various publications and the HECS calendar. Mr. Ramanakumar, Ms. Shama and Ms. Krishnaveni distributed the awards. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr Abhishek Das followed by refreshments being served.
The FILMIT India Festival Mumbai was hosted by the Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) and the INTACH Mumbai Chapter at the I.E.S. College of Architecture, Mumbai, with 52 students participating from ten schools across the city and nearby areas.
The festival began with a welcome address by Ms. Katyayani Agarwal, Convenor, INTACH Mumbai Chapter. She spoke about the various projects being undertaken by the Chapter and emphasised on the project Evolution of Mumbai through Stories and Narratives. This project deals with how cities can be understood and documented through storytelling. Her address highlighted the importance of moving beyond a "single story" and exploring layered narratives, using the intangible heritage associated with Mumbai’s Art Deco as an example.
Following this, Mrs. Purnima Datt introduced the FilmIt project and formally introduced the Chief Guest, Mr. Hemant Chaturvedi, a cinematographer with over 30 years of experience in the film industry. This was followed by students sharing their experiences through songs, poems, and reflections, expressing their understanding of heritage in creative ways. The Best Films of Mumbai were then screened. Mr. Hemant Chaturvedi interacted with the students after the screening, appreciating the quality of the films presented and praising their teamwork, confidence, and choice of engaging topics. The gathering then dispersed for a short break.
Reconvening after the break, the overall best films from across the country were screened, allowing everyone to appreciate the diverse heritage of different regions. Mr. Chaturvedi then formally addressed the gathering. He spoke about the immense impact of films on audiences and emphasised the importance of recognising the contributions of cameramen, technicians, and the entire crew in the filmmaking process. Sharing his own journey, he spoke about entering the film industry at the age of 17 after moving from Delhi to Mumbai during a teachers’ strike. He began working as a production assistant and was associated with Merchant Ivory Productions, where Ismail Merchant became an important influence in his life. The festival concluded with the felicitation of all participating students, who received certificates, awards, and resource material, followed by group photographs.
The FILMIT India Festival Vadodara was hosted by the Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) and INTACH Vadodara chapter at the Navrachana International School, Vadodara, with twelve schools from the city and nearby areas participating.
The programme began with a lamp-lighting ceremony and a warm welcome to the guests. Present at the event were the principals of Navrachana International School (IB and CBSE sections), INTACH Vadodara Convenor Mr. Sanjeev Joshi, Co-convenor Ms. Tarisha Gaurav Desai, volunteers, and the HECS team Ms. Christina Shangne and Mr. Deepanshu. The chief guest of the festival was Mr. Chetan Dhanani, an award-winning actor and director, known for his work in theatre and films such as Reva.
Students of NISV opened the festival with a beautiful dance and enactment, paying tribute to the classic film Sholay. Mr. Sanjeev Joshi shared words of encouragement, followed by Ms. Christina Shangne, who welcomed everyone and introduced the festival. The students then highlighted their experience of discovering heritage through filmmaking. The best films from the city were then screened, followed by the overall best films. Mr. Dhanani addressed the students, saying that filmmaking brings together all art forms and is "the mother of all arts." He praised the children’s creativity and reminded them that while technology changes, strong stories and honest emotions will always matter.
The principals, Ms. Kashmira Jaiswal and Ms. Gopika Jadeja, also encouraged the students and appreciated INTACH for creating this platform to learn and preserve cultural heritage.
The festival concluded with the felicitation of all participating schools and students, who received awards and certificates. The programme ended with a vote of thanks and the National Anthem.
The INTACH FilmIt Festival in Ahmedabad was held at Shreyas Foundation on 10th February 2026, with the participation of 59 students from 10 schools across the city. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Mrs. Shilpa Patel, senior member of the INTACH Ahmedabad Chapter. She warmly welcomed the Chief Guest, Mr. Arnav Kumar, a distinguished film director, writer, and producer, as well as Ms. Pratibha, Principal of Shreyas Foundation.
The festival began with Ms. Christina Shangne, Sr. Programme Coordinator at HECS, sharing highlights of the FilmIt projects and encouraging students to continue engaging with heritage through creative media such as filmmaking. Students from participating schools then shared their filmmaking experiences, reflecting on the process and how it transformed their perspective towards heritage and its documentation.This was followed by a screening of the Best Films from Ahmedabad, and subsequently, the overall best films from across the country were showcased, allowing the audience to appreciate the work of students from different regions.
Following the screenings, Mr. Arnav Kumar addressed the gathering and shared words of encouragement. He urged students to explore multiple perspectives while working on a theme, suggesting that assigning a common subject could reveal diverse interpretations. Ms. Pratibha, Principal of Shreyas Foundation, also congratulated the young filmmakers, expressed her admiration for their work, and proposed potential themes for future projects. She thanked INTACH for providing students with a meaningful platform to creatively engage with heritage.The festival concluded with the felicitation of all participating schools, followed by group photographs and refreshments.
On 6 February, INTACH organised the FILMIT Jaipur Festival at The Palace School, with enthusiastic participation from students and teachers from 14 schools across Jaipur. The event was graced by distinguished chief guests. The programme commenced with students formally introducing the chief guests, followed by addresses by the dignitaries.
Mr. Sandeep Sethi expressed his happiness at seeing both the chief guests present and appreciated the dedicated work done by Mr. Rahul Sood. He also spoke about Mr. Adhiraj and his contributions to CBSE initiatives, including work on mathematics trailers and conducting workshops as early as his Grade 11 years. He highlighted Jaipur’s historic milestone of completing 300 years, noting that INTACH will celebrate this through various Heritage based initiatives such as a quiz, a FILMIT programme, teachers’ workshops, a grand festival finale.
The HECS team then took charge of the programme. Ms. Vaishnavi introduced the FILMIT Festival and its objectives, following which Ms. Aarushi invited students to share their experiences. Students presented reflections through poems, songs, speeches, and creative expressions. This was followed by screenings of selected best films from Jaipur and outstanding films from across India. An award felicitation ceremony was held thereafter, during which students were recognised and awarded for their outstanding films.
Mr. Rahul Sood addressed the gathering, encouraging students to applaud themselves for their efforts. He expressed his amazement at the quality of work produced, emphasising that films are made not with money but with passion. He spoke about both fiction and non-fiction films, praising the realism and brilliance of the documentaries presented by students.. He also appreciated INTACH’s work in transmitting heritage through such projects.
Mr. Adhiraj, in his address, spoke about courage, originality, and the importance of doing unique work. He reflected on why films are made driven by vision, curiosity, and excitement and referred to films such as those on blue pottery and generational narratives. He concluded by inspiring students with the thought that they can become the change they wish to see.
Mrs. Urvashi Warman, Principal, The Palace School, further addressed the students, appreciating their efforts in capturing the rich heritage of Jaipur. She encouraged them to continue researching and exploring, and motivated them to keep creating meaningful films.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Aarushi and Ms. Vaishnavi, who expressed gratitude to The Palace School, the students and teachers for making the FILMIT Jaipur Festival a meaningful and memorable event.
INTACH Punjab successfully conducted the FILMIT Festival at Spring Dale Senior School, Amritsar, on 6 February 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The festival was organised under INTACH’s Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS), which has been instrumental in implementing the FILMIT programme across the country. The event was supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and was held at the Punjab chapter of INTACH.
The festival brought together students from 12 schools across Punjab, who participated in the FILMIT project by creating short films based on their city’s cultural and natural heritage. The festival served as a celebration of the students’ dedication, creativity, and learning, while providing a platform to showcase their heritage films to a wider audience.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Mahabir Bhullar, a renowned Pollywood actor, was born and brought up in Tarn Taran, Punjab, and is an alumnus of the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi. Currently active in cinema, he shared his experiences and encouraged students to pursue storytelling rooted in their cultural identity. The Guest of Honour, Mr. Rajinder Singh, also an NSD alumnus, was born and raised in Amritsar. He is an accomplished actor, director, and casting director, and a founder member of Dastak Theatre, Amritsar. His interaction with students highlighted the importance of theatre and cinema in preserving cultural narratives.
Speaking on the occasion, Maj. Gen. Balwinder Singh emphasised that FILMIT is a multicultural initiative aimed at sensitising students towards heritage conservation. He highlighted how the programme trains students in both content development and technical filmmaking skills through structured workshops, empowering them to become young documentarians of their own heritage.
Since its inception, over 8,000 short films have been produced by students across India. The project is currently celebrating its 18th year, with festivals organised in cities including Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Ambala, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kochi, Vadodara, and Amritsar. Selected films have also received national and international recognition, including screenings and awards at prestigious children’s film festivals in India and abroad.
The event witnessed the presence of S. Gaganpreet Singh, Amritsar Convener and Overall Coordinator for FILMIT; Dr. Bajit Kaur, Tarn Taran Convener; S. Harpreet Bhatti, Gurdaspur Chapter; Principal Rajiv Kumar Sharma; Vice Principal Guneet Arora; and Quiz Coordinator Neeru Issar, whose collective efforts contributed to the successful execution of the festival.
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The INTACH FilmIt Festival in Kolkata was held at Apeejay School, Park Street, on 5th February 2026. The festival saw the participation of 58 students from 15 schools across the city. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Mrs. Anita Bhattacharya, FilmIt In-charge at Apeejay School, who warmly welcomed the participating schools and introduced the Chief Guest, Mr. Nilav Bose, a well-known filmmaker based in Kolkata. She also introduced Mr. Abhishek Das from INTACH.
Mr. Das welcomed the gathering and spoke about the FilmIt project, sharing a brief overview of its objectives and its journey since its inception in 2008. Following the introductory session, students expressed their experiences through speeches and poems. This was followed by the screening of films from Kolkata. After a short refreshment break, a few more students shared their filmmaking experiences, following which selected films from across the country were screened. The Chief Guest, Mr. Bose appreciated by the wonderful films made by the children. He said that he was spellbound after watching the films and the loved the topics chosen by them. He congratulated the students for their efforts and thanked INTACH for inviting him to the programme. Ms. Paromita Guha Ray, Principal, Apeejay School, Kolkata, also addressed the gathering, echoing Mr. Bose’s sentiments and commending the students for their commendable work. She expressed her appreciation to INTACH for providing such a valuable platform for young learners.
The participating schools were felicitated by Ms. Guha Ray and Mr. Bose, and certificates along with sets of books were presented to each school. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Das.
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The Chandigarh and Ambala Filmit Festival 2025-2026 was organised by Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) Division of INTACH in collaboration with Saupin’s School, Chandigarh from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The programme was attended by 55 participants including students and teachers from 12 schools of Chandigarh and 4 schools of Ambala.
The FILMIT Festival began with an introduction to INTACH and FILMIT by Ms. Purnima Datt, the Principal Director of HECS INTACH. She spoke about how the FILMIT programme began in 2008, with the support of Helen Hamlyn Trust in Delhi and spread to other cities eventually and how it’s been 18 years now. The festival commenced by students of Saupin’s performing Bhangra to welcome the guests.
Students of Saupin's School welcomed teachers, Guests of Honour and Chief Guests. The Chief Guests Mr. Atul Sharma (Music Composer) and Guests of Honours Ms. Nagina Bains (Faculty Professor, Thappar University), were introduced by Ms. Pranjali Saini, Programme Coordinator, HECS. Col. R.D. Singh (Convenor Ambala Chapter), and Ms. Surita Sharma (Principal, Saupin's School, Chandigarh) were felicitated by Ms. Purnima Datt (Principal Director, HECS, INTACH)
Ms. Pranjali Saini then invited students from each of the 12 school to speak on their experience of making films as part of FILMIT. This was followed by a screening of the Best Films from both Chandigarh and Ambala.
After a short refreshment break, the Overall Best Films from across the country were screened and received widespread appreciation. This was followed by an address from the Chief Guests, who shared their insights and guidance with the students. Mr. Sharma applauded the children’s enthusiasm and sincere efforts, encouraging them to draw inspiration from an ant for its hard work and dedication. He emphasized that students should move beyond rote learning and embrace creative freedom. Concluding his address on a lively note, Mr. Sharma transformed a nursery rhyme into a song, beautifully illustrating that creativity can be found everywhere.
Ms. Nagina Bains encouraged children by quoting William Wordsworth – "a child is a father of a man". She exclaimed that she felt that each one of the student present embodies this quote and movies that she saw today was a proof of it. She concluded by saying that she has been through various experiences while travelling around the world but there is no place like India and children should appreciate and explore it more.
Col. R. D. Singh addressed the students with words of encouragement, highlighting how the Filmit Festival has played a significant role in boosting the confidence of students from Ambala. He commended INTACH and HECS for their dedicated efforts in making heritage education engaging and accessible for children.
This was followed by the felicitation ceremony, where winners from both cities were announced. Participating schools were awarded certificates of participation and achievement, along with a set of books. The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks.
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DATE: 3rd February 2026
HECS and INTACH, in collaboration with the India International Centre (IIC), hosted the FILMIT India festival at the CD Deshmukh Auditorium on February 3rd, 2026. The event welcomed 33 schools from Delhi and the NCR, along with notable guests including educator and vocalist Bidisha Roy, author and Heritage Conservationist Amita Baig, and Odissi Dancer Junahi Rattan. The festival began with an introduction from Purnima Datt, Principal Director of the division who emphasized the programme's expanding reach and the diverse heritage themes explored by students. She highlighted the cities that are covered in the programme and how it has expanded over the years. She also embellished her speech with a few notable examples of the films made in the past that have beautifully explored different facets of heritage. She concluded her speech by thanking the students for their continued interest in the film-making process and the programme and wished them continued success. The chief guests were introduced and welcomed by HECS representatives.
Students from participating schools shared their FILMIT India experiences, followed by a screening of the best films from Delhi schools. After more student testimonials, the overall best films from across India were screened. Post which Ms Amita Baig appreciated the strong sense of commitment to the country and the sensitive portrayal by children. The stories, drawn from grandparents and elders, reflected the traditional way heritage is passed down through generations in our culture. Ms Bidisha Roy shared that she is a documentary filmmaker and was delighted to see a few budding filmmakers in the making. The deeply personal stories from grandparents offered a sense of hope and highlighted how film can become a powerful tool for documenting personal heritage. Ms Junahi Rattan commended the students for the meticulous effort they invested in detailing their films. Drawing from her own experience as a dancer, she shared how deeply she understands the discipline, patience, and hard work required to refine any art form. She concluded by encouraging the students to continue pushing boundaries, noting that art nurtures a positive, questioning spirit -one that challenges and explores in meaningful ways. The festival concluded with the felicitation of students and a formal vote of thanks by Mr Abhishek Das.
Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) in association with INTACH Thanjavur Chapter organised a two-day teachers’ training workshop on 28th and 29th January, 2026 at Sangeetha Mahal, Thanjavur Palace. Around 35 teachers from 22 schools participated in the programme.
Mr. K. Swaminathan, Co - Convenor, Thanjavur Chapter, gave the welcome address. He spoke about the setting up of INTACH and its role as one of the earliest organizations in preserving the heritage of the country. He also introduced the other Chapter members and felicitated the resource persons. Mr. E. Madhavan, Dist. Education Officer, Thanjavur was invited as the Chief Guest. He congratulated INTACH for the exemplary work being done by it in the field og conservation and also for organizing this workshop for making teachers aware about heritage. The first two sessions were on the local heritage of Thanjavur. Mr. N Selvaraj, Historian spoke about the ancient city of Thanjavur followed by Mr. S. Muthu Kumar who spoke about natural, built, living and material heritage of Thanjavur. After a short tea break, The INTACH film was showcased.
The second session was conducted by Mr. Abhishek Das, Senior Programme Manager, HECS, where he outlined the fundamentals of heritage. He gave a detailed talk on the types of heritage – natural, built, material and living heritage through an engaging PowerPoint presentation filled with examples and visuals from across India.
Post lunch, an ice breaker activity was organised for the participants named ‘Romantic Pairs. The next session was conducted by Mr. Das, on the role of heritage education in classrooms. He explained the need for heritage education and what it meant. Various teaching aids were discussed. An object study and role play activity was also done with an old metal ink-pot. One INTACH member and a teacher enacted a role-play between a modern pen and a traditional ink-pot. Ms. Christina Shangne, Sr. Programme Coordinator, took the next session. She explained the work done by HECS, followed by its various publications and resource material, projects and programmes, and website and social media. She also explained the need for setting up of heritage clubs and its activities. The day concluded with dividing teachers into four groups and assigning them themes for presentation planned for the following day.
Day 2 commenced with a heritage walk to the Thanjavur Palace Museum. It was also attended by Mr. B. Senthil, Dist. Education Officer, (Private Schools). Here, the participants were explained about the sculptures. They were also taken for a tour of the Natraj bronze sculptures gallery and a photo gallery of the Thanjavur Palace. After the heritage walk, the participants resumed their group activity. They were again encouraged to integrate heritage education in their lessons and establish heritage clubs in schools. They were given half an hour to prepare for their presentations and teaching methodologies. The presentations were as follows: Group 1, Natural Heritage (Kaveri Delta region); Group 2, Built Heritage (Brihadeshwara Temple); Group 3, Material Heritage (Tanjore paintings); Group 4, Living Heritage (Pongal).
The Thajavur convenor, Mr. S. Babaji Rajah Bhonsle attended the concluding session along with Mrs. V. Baby, Chief Educational Officer, Thanjavur. Mr. Bhonsle encouraged the teachers to be patrons of heritage and thanked the resource persons for conducting the workshop. The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates with lunch being served.
The College Volunteer Workshop was conducted at the INTACH headquarters in New Delhi and was attended by 63 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, Session 1 commenced with a brief introduction 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. This was followed by a tea break and visit to INTACH'S Conservation Lab where students were shown how material heritage is conserved and restored.
The second session "Challenges in protection and conservation of cultural heritage in Delhi" was given by Mr. Ajay Kumar, Director projects, INTACH Delhi Chapter. The talk focused on India’s layered architectural heritage and the role of INTACH in its protection. He explained legal protection, monument grading, and challenges like encroachments. Conservation was described as a scientific, ethical process with different levels of intervention.The session ended by highlighting INTACH’s conservation work and awareness programmes.
Dr. Narayani Gupta, historian, author and former director of the INTACH Documentation Centre, conducted the next session on ‘Delhi's Heritage, community participation in Heritage conservation, and Volunteering. She spoke about the origins of heritage protection in India, beginning with the establishment of the Archaeological Survey in 1861, and reflected on why societies feel the need to preserve the past. Moving beyond monuments, she emphasised everyday life, communities, and intangible heritage such as sounds, professions, languages, and personal diaries. She concluded by stressing that caring for heritage is an active, conscious choice that must be nurtured.
The third session on ‘Delhi's Heritage 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 on redefining heritage beyond monuments and challenged the idea that conservation and development cannot coexist. He explained INTACH’s role in protecting unrecognized heritage and highlighted the 2004 INTACH Charter’s holistic approach, which includes social practices and living traditions. Emphasising ethics, indigenous knowledge, and youth participation, he concluded that conservation is about responsibly connecting the past, present, and future.
Mr. Ratish Nanda, conservation architect and former Projects Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in India, briefly interacted with students and spoke about his conservation work in the Nizamuddin area. He highlighted how promoting traditional craftsmen and artisans not only sustains heritage skills but also generates employment and supports tourism. Referring to his work at Sunder Nursery, he emphasised that conserving natural heritage is as important as conserving monuments, stressing that all elements cultural, social, and environmental are deeply interconnected with heritage.
The third session on ‘Delhi's Heritage 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 on redefining heritage beyond monuments and challenged the idea that conservation and development cannot coexist. He explained INTACH’s role in protecting unrecognized heritage and highlighted the 2004 INTACH Charter’s holistic approach, which includes social practices and living traditions. Emphasising ethics, indigenous knowledge, and youth participation, he concluded that conservation is about responsibly connecting the past, present, and future.
Mr. Ratish Nanda, conservation architect and former Projects Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in India, briefly interacted with students and spoke about his conservation work in the Nizamuddin area. He highlighted how promoting traditional craftsmen and artisans not only sustains heritage skills but also generates employment and supports tourism. Referring to his work at Sunder Nursery, he emphasised that conserving natural heritage is as important as conserving monuments, stressing that all elements cultural, social, and environmental are deeply interconnected with heritage.
After a short break, Mr. Happy Srivastava and Mr. Aniruddha from the ICH Division, INTACH, showcased the acclaimed "Kan Kan Mein Ram" documentary by INTACH's ICH Division to the students, providing insights into the diverse cultural expressions of Lord Rama and his story across different regions of the country. They emphasised that the story of Rama is a shared heritage that belongs to everyone.The next session College Heritage Volunteer Programme and Heritage in my Institution was conducted by the HECS team, where students were informed about the various ways they could become a Heritage Volunteer and engage in heritage programmes within their own institutions. The team explained the process of becoming a volunteer and shared examples of workshops and activities conducted by HECS at different locations, highlighting how these programmes are implemented.
In the interactive group activity that was conducted, the students were asked to select any one aspect of heritage. Further they discussed what help they require from INTACH and how they could contribute to organisations like INTACH. 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.
On 5th January 2026, the staff of INTACH Headquarters commenced the New Year with a picnic organised at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi. The event also witnessed the release of the INTACH 2026 calendar by INTACH Chairman Shri Ashok Singh Thakur and Member Secretary Mr. Ravindra Singh.
The INTACH 2026 calendar is based on the theme Celebrating India and features selected student posters from the competition, showcasing the diversity of Indian festivals and cultural heritage.
