Heritage lovers revisit the ancient glory of Vizag

GVMC Commissioner says the greatest heritage in the world is the Indian family system

CELEBRATING HISTORY: DIG (Visakha range) Soumya Mishra participating in the Awareness Walk as part of the World Heritage Daycelebrations jointly organised by The Hindu and Pollocks School in association with Visakha Museum in Visakhapatnam. (right) GVMC Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu interacting with students after delivering a talk on heritage. Photo: K.R. Deepak

It was an enlightening evening not only for students but also the guests, who attended the World Heritage Day celebrations organised jointly by The Hindu and Pollocks School in association with Visakha Museum on Wednesday.

The exhibition of pictures of ‘ancient town', taken in the pre-Independent era and the early years of Independence, gave heritage-lovers a glimpse of the ancient glory of Visakhapatnam. The picture of the aesthetically built houses and the architectural splendour of the ancient buildings on the Beach Road, launch of ‘Jala Usha' and visits of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore and The Mahatma passing by Visakhapatnam in a train were some of the rare pictures on display which are sure to leave a lasting impression on the visitors, particularly the students.

Addressing the students on the occasion, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu said that the greatest heritage in the world was the Indian family system and values. The strength of India lay in its vast human resources and youth were its greatest asset. “We worship trees and wildlife and nature and do not harm even snakes, under normal circumstances”. He spoke of the man-made heritage structures as also the natural formations like ‘Erramatti Dibbalu'. He called upon youth not to ask what the country has given to them but to think of what they could do for the nation. He recalled the contribution of

The Hindu in promoting the spirit of nationalism in the pre and post Independent era.

A retired professor of History and Archaeology of Andhra University Kolluru Suryanarayana recalled the contribution of foreigners like Max Mueller, Sir Arthur Cotton and C.P. Brown to the upholding and preservation of Indian culture and traditions.

Referring to various archaeological evidences, he said that Visakhapatnam was a part of Kalinga empire and was originally not a part of Andhra.

The Buddhist heritage sites that were found in and around the city and district bear ample testimony of the importance of the region as a centre of trade.

Though all the history books refer to the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 as the ‘First war of Indian Independence', a Sepoy Mutiny, which took place in 1780 in Visakhapatnam was the ‘First war of Indian Independence' and this was mentioned in the British Records.

INTACH member Sohan Hatangadi gave a presentation on “A brief introduction to India's heritage', INTACH member Prasad spoke on “INTACH and its objectives and activities” and INTACH member Kumar spoke on ‘Vizag – down memory lane'.

Visakha Museum Curator Patrudu, Regional General Manager of The Hindu T.V. Suresh, Pollocks School Correspondent Sandeep and Vice Principal Rajini Chitra participated.

Earlier, an ‘awareness walk' was flagged off by the Deputy Inspector General (Visakha Range) Soumya Mishra. She impressed upon the participants to safeguard India's rich and varied heritage, which has stood the test of time.