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Published: 19 November 2015

JAMMU: Asking civil society to join hands in preservation of rich heritage of the state, Minister of State for Information, Education and Culture, Priya Sethi said the government is working towards preservation and restoration of old heritage sites of the state and help from civil society can go a long way in preserving heritage. She said this is for the first time that the government has celebrated World Heritage week all across the state at such a mega level and the effort would surely help in making people aware about heritage sites existing in different parts of the state.

“Present coalition government is committed to revive the cultural heritage and on the directions of Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Culture focussed attention is being given towards the culture of the state,” she said. Priya was speaking at the inaugural function of World Heritage Week 2015, here today. The weeklong event started with cleanliness drive at famous Diwan Mandir Complex and inauguration of heritage exhibition at Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex.

Addressing students and members of civil society, Priya said culture is identity of people and all the three regions have unique cultural heritage, adding that knowledge of past is must for moving forward. She said coming generations have to be made aware about their heritage and the present celebrations are a step forward in the direction to spread awareness about heritage.

She said all the heritage complexes, buildings, museums, libraries and old forts in the state would be illuminated and tourism, culture, education, urban development and other concerned Departments would organise special programs during the week all over the state. “We have organised special display of old heritage manuscripts, photos, antiquities and books at Mubarak Mandi, SPS Museum and Ranbir Library and special variety programs, painting competitions, ethnic food presentations, debates and heritage workshops are also being held during the week,” she added.

She said real aim of celebrating world heritage week is to involve youngsters, as future generations are to be made aware of their past and the effort would bear fruits. MLA, Jammu East Rajesh Gupta appreciated efforts made by the government in making people aware about state’s heritage besides launching special sanitation drive of heritage sites. He called the young children of school and colleges to become part of the celebrations and enrich themselves with the treasure of heritage the government has put on display.

Speaking on the occasion, social activist Yudhvir Sethi lauded the efforts of the government in celebrating the World Heritage week and launch of special cleanliness drive of famous heritage sites in the city. He said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already started a nationwide drive of Swachh Bharat and the special cleanliness drive of heritage buildings would send right message to society at large.

Secretary, Culture, Hemant Sharma, VC, JDA Mubarak Singh, Director, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society Rohit Khajuria, Convener, INTACH Jammu Chapter S. M. Sahani and other senior officers from J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Archives, Education, Higher Education, Traffic, JDA and JMC attended the inauguration ceremony.