Many of the buildings in this hill station which had hitherto been seen by the majority of the people as just a part the town’s skyline will henceforth make them pause and take a second look thanks to an event organized here on Saturday.
Planned and executed by the Nilgiris Collector Archana Patnaik with the help of the Department of Tourism and the Nilgiris Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art,Culture and Heritage (INTACH), the event involved an organised walk along some of the buildings to create awareness about their immense heritage value and their contribution towards giving this popular holiday destination a distinct identity.
The walk which began at the Head Post Office to hail the move of the Department of Posts to feature it on a stamp touched the Saint Stephen’s Church, the Collectorate, the Nilgiri Library, the Breeks Memorial School, the Union Church and the Assembly Rooms before concluding at the Lawley Institute.
With students from a few schools, officials and a few enthusiastic residents participating, the walk generated so much interest that some of the observers told The Hindu that it should cover more heritage buildings and involve all sections of the society.
The importance of each building was explained by the Convenor, INTACH Geetha Srinivasan.
Leading the walk, Ms.Patnaik said that the head post office had done the district proud by figuring on a stamp. The concept is in keeping with the culture and heritage of the place, she said and added,
“We will carry it forward”.
The former Chairman,Atomic Energy Commission M.R.Srinivasan who also participated pointed out that the concept was popular in many places abroad like Vienna.The heritage structures will familiarize the younger generation with the history of the place.He opined that new constructions near heritage buildings should blend with the latter.
S.Sindhu and D.Monisha, 11th standard students of the Breeks Memorial Higher Secondary School said that the walk had made them proud of Ooty in general and their alma mater in particular.
K.Harsh and V.Vignesh, 11th standard students of the Good Shepherd International School said that it had enhanced their knowledge of many things.
