01/11/2021
“There needs to be integration with work of other departments, for instance Department of Housing and Urban Development & Department of Local Government for heritage sensitive development work in historic cities (HRIDAY Amritsar provides important learnings), Department of Irrigation for protection and development along the canals which are a repository of colonial period industrial heritage, Department of Revenue to work at village levels, for instance conservation of village water tanks, shrines, intangible cultural practices related to crafts and gastronomy while aligning with principles of sustainable development. Partnerships and innovation require to be foundational in development of tourism so that there is direct benefit for the local people. In fact, this would be the first cultural route on the Indian list of heritage sites of UNESCO (it links Punjab to Kolkata through five other states). This is only possible if Punjab is more professional about this and does not rely on retired officials for developing the vision and strategy as in the past,” Gurmeet sums it up.
Simply put, Punjab the Sapta Sindhu and then the Punj-ab to now recently a land more reminiscent of the latest episode of game of thrones with mavericks, sycophants and jesters all in attendance.
