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Where is our heritage going?
I often wonder, when I think this question, “Where is our heritage going?” It’s disappearing so fast, so it should be going somewhere I think… I wonder what train or plane it is catching, and to reach where? Why is it vanishing without a trace? Does it have a dubious past or a criminal record? Then why is it being chased off?
I conduct heritage walks [Pune Walks] around the city. And this is something that is very close to my heart because I always feel my heritage and culture make me what I am today. And I am proud of it. It’s wonderful to go and touch the old stone and wood, and breathe in thousands of years of history that was the foundation of the today we live in.
Whilst walking along the streets of Pune, all I see are the old wadas being demolished and new monstrosities emerging in the name of ‘modern architecture’, and I wonder, “Where is our history going?”
Old doors are displaying forgotten history and culture. Windows open out to new vistas and a new life. Sometimes one only sees these now lifeless ‘openings’, a mute testimony to all that had been. And I wonder, “What did those homes turn into?”
Sometimes, and often, I’ve wished I lived in a place that had this kind of rich history, culture and architecture; and since I cannot, I make do by spending time at them. And its a wonderful feeling to share these treasures with others.
But when I see the kind of neglect from the people and government, and also the cold callousness of the Building and Construction industry; not to mention the absolute sense of irresponsibility and lack of imagination from architects, I wonder, “Where are we really going?”
I mean, would you point out to a non-characteristic, typical, glazed facade and tell your children, “Look, this is our wonderful heritage!” … ?
