By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Sixteen probationary officers of the Bihar State Administrative Services, who are in Bhopal on a training schedule, participated in a Heritage Walk in the walled city on Sunday.
The Heritage Walk was conducted for the officers by Prof. Savita Raje, Registrar of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, (MANIT), Bhopal, and president of Living Heritage Alliance. The visiting officers are from the Bihar Public Administration and Rural Development Institute who are on a Field Visit and Training programme organized by the RCVP Naronha Academy of Administration and Management, Bhopal.
Prof. Savita Raje (holding a bag) with probationary officers of the Bihar State Administrative Services conducting Heritage Walk in Bhopal
The Heritage Walk was conducted in three legs, starting from Kamla Park and ending at Islamnagar. The Heritage Walk, along with the visit to various buildings and places, duly connected the built spaces with the intangible aspects of various true story-lines meeting together in Bhopal, starting from the early 11th century AD. The story line beginning from Raja Bhoj and his lake-making talent and mission, to that of Bhopal state founder Nawab Dost Muhammed Khan (from Afghanistan), the rule of four Begums, to the last Royal Buorbon of France and the final merger with the Indian Republic was told through the walk.
The hydraulic systems ranging from that of Upper Lake and the massive lake of Bhojpur, Kolans River, Upper Lake, Lower Lake and Patra Nala. The Patra Nala was given as an example of what insensitive planning does to a healthy River. Patra Nala was a river flowing graciously and merrily through Bhopal. The trainees were urged to play their extremely important role in the conservation of natural heritage in their places of work.
The hydraulic systems of the Hammam and the fountains in the canal at Islamnagar were also explained. The description of the unique design conception was explained in the case of Gauhar Mahal, Havelis, Shahjahanbad and Islamnagar. The walk showcased the royal enclave of the historic city of Bhopal, the residences of the erstwhile ministers, the religious architecture, the urban design of Shahjahanbad and the historical buildings of Islamnagar.
The participants were amazed at the treasure of the city and were full of curiosity about the historic city.
“These Officers can play an extremely important role in the safeguarding of the urban, rural and natural heritage which can facilitate the quality of life in the cities and surrounds. The heritage-based development is the need of the day and the future”, said Prof. Savita Raje. ([email protected])