INTACH to Delhi students: Come, adopt a monument

"I have visited only 5-6 important heritage monuments in Delhi. I am actually surprised to know that Delhi has so much to offer," said Sripurna Banerjee, a teacher with Greenfields School (Safdarjung Enclave).

"I have visited only 5-6 important heritage monuments in Delhi. I am actually surprised to know that Delhi has so much to offer," said Sripurna Banerjee, a teacher with Greenfields School (Safdarjung Enclave).

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She wasn't the only teacher who was surprised to know that Delhi has 174 ASI-protected monuments and scores of others under Delhi government. Teachers from 38 other city schools shared the same sentiments Banerjee during a workshop 'Adopt a Monument' organised by INTACH.

"Starting a 'Heritage Club' in my school is on top of the agenda for me," she said after the workshop.

Conservation NGO Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) organised the workshop to encourage students - through their teachers - to work hands on and increase their understanding and appreciation of Delhi's heritage.

Observed Bindu Keswani from The Pinnacle School, Panchsheel Enclave, "Apart from taking students to different heritage sites, other ways like a quiz on monuments can be tried for sensitising students." She already takes students from class 6, 7 & 8 to monuments near their school.

Charu Bhatnagar from Indian School, Sadiq Nagar in south Delhi, said, "Our school management is very encouraging and we have already been taking students to various sites. Dealing with authorities like ASI, MCD or DDA is sometimes problematic. But the workshop has helped me understand the procedure."

Purnima Datta, who heads INTACH's heritage education and communication service, said INTACH would act as a facilitator between schools and the authorities.

"We hope to get increased response as the CBSE has last year introduced 'Adopt a Heritage' in its continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) scheme," she added.

AGK Menon, INTACH Delhi's head, said, "The need is to involve people at all levels, for instance, history students, too, can be good resource persons." INTACH also released a handbook titled 'Adopt a Monument' on the occasion.