Western Railway celebrated the World Heritage Day in association the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) by organizing an exhibition at W. Rly Headquarter Building lawns, Churchgate on 19th & 20th November, 2019 displaying the rich & glorious legacy as well as showcasing the various facets of the glorious era of Railways since its nception, alongwith the ASI to commemorate the World Heritage Week.
According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the chief purpose of celebrating the World Heritage Week is to increase the awareness and encourage the people about the preservation and safety of the cultural heritages, monuments of the country. To live the ancient Indian culture and tradition it is very necessary to protect and preserve the variety of priceless cultural heritage and historical monuments.
With this objective, W. Rly joined hands with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to commemorate this year’s World Heritage Week with a slew of activities. The Heritage Week celebrations were kick-started with the inauguration of a two day Heritage Exhibition by the Chief Guest of the function, Shri A K Gupta – General Manager of W. Rly at the Headquarter Building lawns at 10.30 hrs on 19th November, 2019.
This was followed by a programme on Heritage which was held at Godbole Hall, W. Rly Headquarter Building in which presentation was given by ASI on Heritage sites over Mumbai region and thereafter a presentation on Heritage restoration of Bandra Station was also given. Speaking on this occasion, Shri A. K. Gupta emphasized the need to conserve & preserve the heritage of the Railways which will bear witness to its glorious past and will serve as nostalgia for the future generations.
On this occasion, Shri Gupta released W. Rly’s Coffee Table Book titled “Travelling in Time”, Heritage Compendium on W. Rly tiltled “Retrospecting into our great legacy through a Magnificent Heritage” as well as ASI Brochure. This was followed by a spectacular play titled “Khajuraho Ke Shilpi” performed by the ASI artists & their team, who showcased the legend behind the construction of the Khajurao temple. This function was also attended by Shri V K Tripathi, Additional General Manager of W. Rly, Shri Ashesh Agrawal – Head of W. Rly’s Heritage Committee & Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer of W. Rly alongwith other Principal Heads of Department of Western Railway, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as well as other senior officials from both the Departments.
The welcome address on this occasion was delivered by Shri R. K. Lal – Principal Chief Commercial Manager of W. Rly while the key note address was delivered by Dr. Nandini Bhattacharya – Regional Director of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway. The function was anchored by Shri Gajanan Mahatpurkar – Senior Public Relations Officer of Western Railway.
The Heritage Exhibition will be open for general public from 10.30 onwards to 18.00 hrs on 19th November, 2019 while it will open from 10.00 to 18.00 hrs on 20th November, 2019. World Heritage Week is celebrated all over the world from 19th to 25th of November every year. Various programs related to the historical structures of India, tour places and cultural and traditional heritages of India are initiated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in order to celebrate the World Heritage Week.