A Report on World Heritage Day Celebrations, 18 April2011

Archaeological Survey of India, Aurangabad Circle, Aurangabad

As per directions, Aurangabad Circle, ASI, celebrated World Heritage Day on

18th April 2011 by conducting various activities related to public awareness about on

cultural haritage. In which large number of public as well as local students were

involved. As a part of celebration this office arranged lectures on importance of

World Heritage Day to the students of Kendriaya Vidyalay, Aurangabad and also

conducted an educational quiz related to preservation of cultural heritage. Large

number of students from Kendriya Vidyalaya participated in the quiz programme.

The student who stood in first three portions will be rewarded with certificates.

A banner was put up in front of the Bibi-ka- Maqbara on World Heritage Day.

A written quiz related cultural awareness was also conducted in the premises of

Maqbara and especially younger generation was encouraged to take part in this

competition.

In addition to that a small function was organized at Ellora Caves, a World

Heritage Site under the jurisdiction of Aurangabad Circle. The same was chaired by

Sh. Boravkar, Principle Gurukul, Ellora. Welcome address was delivered by Sh. P.

Deshmukh, Sr. C.A. Ellora Caves; a lecture on importance of World Heritage Day

was also delivered by Sh. Tejas Garge, Assistant, Archaeologist. The chief guest

emphasised on the role of Archaeological Survey of India in preservation of the

cultural heritage and how to create awareness about our rich cultural heritage among

the students. The banners related to World Heritage Day were placed at prominent

locations at Ellora and Ajanta Caves and Daulatabad Fort.

The World Heritage Day celebrations were organized under the jurisdiction of

this circle in a successful manner.

A Report on Exhibition on Public Awareness at Chandrapur, Maharashtra

(15th- 21st August 2011)

As instructed by S.A., Aurangabad Circle a photo exhibition was set up at Hindi City

School of Chanda Shikshan Mandal, Chandrapur, Maharashtra on theme „Monuments

Heritage of Maharashtra‟. Selected photographs from recent digital photo documentation

were enlarged in various sizes on photo paper and flex suitable for exhibition.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Hon‟ble Member of Parliament Shri Hansraj Ahir

on the eve of Independence Day i.e. 15th August 2011 at 04.00 P.M. Dr. D. Dayalan, SA of

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Sh. Manohar Paunkar, Nagaradhyaksha, Chandrapur,

Shri Madhukarrao Vairagade, President Chanda Shikskhan Mandal, Shri Ashok Kumar Sing

Thakur, Convenor, INTACH, Chandrapur Chapter and other officials and dignitaries attended

the function along with large number of school children.

The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Dayalan, S.A., ASI. Dr. Manoj Kumar

Kurmi, AA, ASI introduced idea behind putting exhibition at Chandrapur. Shri Ahir, Hon‟ble

Member of Parliament, acknowledged efforts of Archaeological Survey of India in

conservation of monuments of Vidarbha and congratulated ASI for putting up educational

and beautiful exhibition. In his key note address Sh. Thakur reviewed history and

archaeology of Vidarbha region and thanked ASI for bringing that visually alive for the

peoples of Chandrapur. Shri Paunkar emphasised importance of public participation in the

preservation of the heritage. Shri Vairagade expressed his happiness about ASI‟s decision

to put up exhibition at Chandrapur providing direct benefit to the students. Sh.Tejas Garge,

AA, ASI delivered vote of thanks.

Sh. Hansaraj Ahir, Hon‟ble Member of Parliament watched photo exhibition with

great intrest and further desired that city of Chandrapur should have a permanent display of

antiquities combined with photographs and cultural text in form of a museum.

The exhibition was focused on monuments of Maharashtra, with main emphasis on

monuments of Vidarbha, Ajanta and Ellora- the World Heritage properties under Aurangabad

Circle, western Indian Rock-cut Architecture, Temples and Forts, Mosques and Tombs etc.

along with photographs of World Heritage Monuments from India. The exhibition was well

received by public, students and visitors from the city of Chandrapur and around. The school

teachers especially history and drawing teachers appreciated enlargements of Ajanta

paintings. Many students and visitors expressed their desire to visit the monuments in

western Maharashtra and India after visiting the photo exhibition.

Further, this office organised various competitions for students from various schools

from Chandrapur on themes related to cultural heritage. On 16 and 17 August 2011 a

drawing competition was held for middle and higher secondary school. Three prizes along

with certificates were distributed on the closing day of the exhibition. Essay competition was

held for middle and higher secondary school on 17 and 18 August 2011. Two prizes in each

category along with certificates were given. On 20 August a Quiz on Identification of Photo of

Monument was conducted. On 20th August prizes along with certificates were distributed by

Prof. Madan Dhankar, Engineering College, Chandrapur.

The photo exhibition organized by Aurangabad circle which began on the eve of

Independence Day was closed on 21 August 2011. The exhibition was successfully

organised under the guidance of Dr. D. Dayalan, SA, and AMV Subramnyam Dy.SA and

Tejas Garge, AA, Dr. Manoj Kumar Kurmi, AA, Umesh Mendhe, AA, V.R. Satbhai,

Photographer, Gr.I, S.B. Rindhe, Surveyor, Gr.I, A.K. Ture, Surveyor, Gr.I, S.A. Pandit,

Marksman and A.W. Maske, CA, Gr-I all from ASI, Aurangabad Circle participated in setting-

up the exhibition.

A Report on Workshop on World Tourism Day

organised by ASI, Aurangabad Circle (27th

September 2011)

Archaeological Survey of India Aurangabad Circle, Aurangabad organised a

workshop on “Management of Heritage Tourism in Aurangabad Region” in

collaboration with Dr. Babasaheb Amedkar Marathawada University, Department of

Tourism Administration.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Vijay Pandharipade, Hon‟ble Vice-

Chancellor, Dr. Babasaheb Amedkar Marathawada University, Aurangabad by

lighting the traditional lamp followed by other dignitaries. Dr. D. Dayalan delivered

welcome speech emphasising the role of monuments and heritage in earning two

third of the revenue earned in tourism sector. Dr. Rajesh Ragade Director, Department

of Tourism Management, Dr. Babasaheb Amedkar Marathawada University delivered

introductory speech highlighting importance of the World Tourism Day. In his

inaugural address Hon‟ble Vice- Chancellor Dr. Vijay Pandharipade highlighted

presence of invaluable treasure in form of heritage monuments in India. He

expressed dissatisfaction about participation of the public for saving the heritage and

taking pride in heritage. He congratulated government departments for organising a

joint venture benefitting the students who are upcoming professionals in the field of

tourism, history and archaeology.

In the same session, Hindi version of documentary produced by ASI,

Aurangabad Circle was released by the honourable dignitaries. Documentarian Sh.

Abhijit Saumitra was also felicitated on this occasion. Dr. Manoj Kurmi delivered vote

of thanks.

After tea break, the first lecture was delivered by Shri I.R.V. Rao, Assistant

Director, Department of India Tourism on global tourism with special reference to

tourism conditions and prospects in Aurangabad. The second lecture was delivered

by Dr. Tejas Garge, A. Archaeologist on sustainable tourism in Aurangabad region

with introductory remarks from Dr. Dayalan, Superintending Archaeologist. The

emphasis was given on cultural history of the Aurangabad region, interventions

carried out by ASI in order to facilitate visitor, tourist amenities, role of heritage as

major foreign revenue earner, responsible tourist behaviour on archaeological

monuments and requirement of heritage/ tourist police in Aurangabad. Shri

Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, Sr. Regional Manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development

Corporation congratulated ASI for doing the professional job and being the backbone

of tourism industry and necessity of responsible tourism in India.

Dr. Rajesh Ragade, thanked ASI not only for doing professional job on

monuments abut also for organising such event beneficial for University students

and public. He discussed several issues related to development of tourism in

Aurangabad.

After lunch break first screening of documentary produced by Aurangabad

Circle on Ajanta caves was took place. The documentary was well received by the

scholars, professional in the tourism sector, teachers, journalist and students. Dr.

Madhuri Sawant, Asso. Professor, Department of Tourism Administration

congratulated Sh. Abhijit Saumitra and ASI, Aurangabad Circle for producing a

wonderful work on Ajanta Caves. The event was successfully organised under the

guidance of Dr. D. Dayalan, SA, and A.M.V. Subramnyam Dy.SA by Dr. Tejas

Garge, AA, Dr. Manoj Kumar Kurmi A.A., Ms.Shilpa Rangari- Jamgade, AA, Shri

Umesh Mendhe, AA, Shri V.R. Satbhai, Photographer, all from ASI, Aurangabad

Circle.