VIZAG matters - Sohan Hatangadi's Blog

  Jayshree Hatangadi Heritage Narrator's theme was "180 degrees six stories"

World Heritage Day – a call to save our past Appeared in the Times of India on  17 April 2017 World Heritage Day - 18 April Tomorrow, 18th April is World Heritage Day. In 1982, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) based in France, announced 18 April as the "World Heritage Day", approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983, with the aim of enhancing awareness of the importance of the cultural heritage of humankind, and redouble efforts to protect and conserve our heritage.  In 2017, the theme is  “Cultural Heritage & Sustainable Tourism” , chosen in relation to the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. What is heritage? What is Heritage in the first place? An explanation from the INTACH book titled “INTACH Jago” goes like this: “Heritage refers to something inhe...

My article in the Times of India dated 21 Feb 2016 Vizag's hidden history TOI web link People fascinated by Indian history are familiar with historical facts of several old towns and cities such as Varanasi, Hyderabad, Chennai or Mumbai. While most old Indian cities and towns have interesting past our own Vizag has a secret history that has escaped some of us residing here all our lives. We pass by structures surrounded by buildings as we rush about our work scarcely throwing a glance at those forgotten spots that have played a significant part in Vizag’s past. Tourist brochures convey a simplistic view of Vizag’s history describing it as a “sleepy fishing village” that over time transformed into today’s bustling city. Somehow we visualise a bunch of fisher folk sleeping all day. In fact Vizag has been an important town for many centuries and has witnessed the ebb and tide of rulers, armies, cultures and outstanding men of vision - who slept very little. What’s in a n...

Saving Vizag's Trees Before you start reading the rest of this post please note down this number: 18004255364 This is the AP Forest Department's 24 hour Toll Free number They accept complaints regarding Tree Cutting, deforestation, wild animal trapping or mistreatment and any illegal forest and wildlife issues.  If you see a tree being cut, call this number and complain! They will get in touch with the local District Forest Officer and pursue the matter. If you have any suggestions - please leave a comment on my blog (preferred), or email me at sohan.hatangadi@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Banyan tree chopped down during the BRTS road project between NAD Kotha Rd. Jn. and Pendurthi W orst time in history for Vizag's trees Several newspaper reports have indicated that GVMC is inclined to cut down large trees that are unfortunate enough to be in the way of our ever widening roads. Between 2009 ...

It is with great sadness that I inform you that our beloved and historic Kurupam Market gateway towers have been demolished by GVMC last week.  The market was donated by Raja Vyricherla Veerabhadra Raju of Kurupam to the then Vizagapatam Municipality on September 1, 1914, to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII. As it was Going Gone I am told that a new building is planned there. Only two weeks ago INTACH had offered to provide expertise to restore the iconic clock tower arch way but it appears to have fallen on deaf ears. It is very unfortunate that this monument was brought down without public consultation. Our uncouth city administration has driven another dagger into our city's rich heritage. No doubt a  monstrosity  will come up at the spot. It will be typical of Vizag's public buildings, no dignity, no class. No doubt that our heritage will die a little more.  One wonders who these ruthless, insensitive and heartless people a...