On the occasion of World Heritage Day, Shilp Aarambh Heritage Walk 2023 was held in Ahmedabad, with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. The event was curated and organised by Sneh Shilp Foundation. The walk was attended by around 1000 people from the city, who came together to show their support for the cause.
Following the massive success of Shilp Aarambh GIFT City Run 2023, the mission of our foundation is to create awareness and inspire pride in our rich cultural heritage. We aim to showcase its beauty and significance and highlight the importance of preserving it for future generations. By inspiring the youth to appreciate and embrace our culture, we hope to steer them away from vices like the drug menace, and towards a greater sense of national pride and identity. Youth play a critical role in preserving cultural heritage because they are the inheritors and custodians of the traditions, knowledge, and artifacts that have been passed down from previous generations. It is essential for young people to learn about and appreciate their cultural roots because it helps them develop a sense of identity, belonging, and pride in their heritage. Furthermore, by understanding their cultural heritage, young people can better appreciate the diversity and richness of human culture, and develop a sense of empathy and respect for other cultures. This can help promote social cohesion and prevent cultural conflicts.
The Heritage Walk started off at 6am from Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur and ended at Jama Masjid. There were guides all throughout the route who busily engaged the participants by educating them about each monument on the way along with its history and significance. A lot of facts shared by the guides were a true discovery for the participants and they were totally thrilled to gain that knowledge about their own heritage. This wasn’t just a walk around the older part of the city. We had arranged performances that talk about our rich culture, its diversity and its importance. There were enthusiasts who performed yoga, bharatnatyam, kushti, mallakhamba and mugdar. These performances showcased the diverse cultural heritage of India and Gujarat and were a hit among the participants.
The organizers also wanted to encourage artists to join the movement against drug abuse, and to promote their art as a means of expression. Hence, they invited photographers, illustrators, painters, sketch artists, interior designers, architects as well as writers and authors to participate in the event. Later, an exhibition was also organized to showcase the pieces of art that were created during the event.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Shri Tejendra Prasad Swamiji of Kalupur Swaminarayan Mandir, Shri Kirit Kumar Parmar, Mayor of Gujarat, Shri Rajkumar, Chief Secretary of Gujarat, Shri Sanjay Shrivastava, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, Shri Yash Brahmbhatt, Founder and CEO of Shilp and Mrs. Snehal Brahmbhatt, COO of Shilp Group. Their presence added to the glory of the event and encouraged the participants. The city was buzzing with the event, and it was heartening to see so many people come together for a noble cause.
This was the second big initiative of Sneh Shilp Foundation for the purpose of creating awareness about drug abuse. The Foundation plans to conduct many more such awareness campaigns. Drug addiction among youth is considered a significant societal problem for several reasons. It is a disease that requires professional help, and education, resources, and support are key to preventing it, as well as help young people who are struggling with addiction to overcome it. Our aim is to help the youth realize their true potential and become productive members of society.
In conclusion, the heritage walk was a huge success, and it helped to create a sense of pride and ownership among the youth of the nation towards their cultural heritage. The organizers are committed to continue with such initiatives in the future, and we hope that more people will join the movement to preserve our cultural heritage.