Ahmedabad First has come into being today on 18th April 2011, celebrated worldwide as World Heritage Day. Leading citizens of Ahmedabad – industrialists, key cultural personalities, educationists, key government figures and media people were invited and took part in the birth of this movement. Here's a quick snapshot.
The event was flagged off with a keynote address by Mr Madhukar Kamath, Group CEO & MD, Mudra Group. He emphasized the need to preserve and protect the unique heritage of Ahmedabad, while enumerating some of the unique firsts of Ahmedabad, such as the first city to have an underground sewage system, the birthplace for the first large-scale non-violence freedom movement in India, the first city to have a lady governor, etc. He also pledged the support of the Mudra Group in Ahmedabad’s march towards the World Heritage City status. He outlined the role of Ahmedabad First to be the focal point of all the efforts for this cause, by being Aggregators and Integrators of the various initiatives happening across the city. He sought the support of everyone in achieving this status for the city by 2012.
Debashish Nayak, Advisor, Heritage Programme, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation followed up by setting the context of the event – what makes Ahmedabad eligible for World Heritage City status and appreciating the advantages that this status brings to the city.
This was followed by an enlightening and energetic panel discussion that was moderated by Dr Ashok Ranchhod, Director, MICA and had the following eminent participants:
1. Subrata Bhowmick, one of India’s leading graphic designers and a name to reckon with in the field of design
2. Ela Bhatt, Founder, SEWA & a social activist of immense repute
3. Abhay Mangaldas, renowned industrialist and heritage conservationist
4. Jaxay Shah, Head of Savvy Infrastructure Ltd. and also associated with the Ahmedabad Heritage Foundation
5. Prof. Utpal Sharma, Dean, School of Planning, CEPT
6. Mr Vinay Panjwani, VP & Co-Founder, Yuva Unstoppable
7. Mr P K Ghosh, IAS (Retd), ex Municipal Commissioner, Chairman, Heritage Conservation Committee
8. Debashish Nayak, Advisor, Heritage Programme, AMC
Some key points that emerged from the panel discussion and the ensuing audience participation were related to conservation of heritage architecture as a big challenge, increase in awareness of heritage among the general public, need for realism while planning for heritage conservation, necessity to inculcate pride among people regarding their heritage, etc.
This panel discussion was followed by a pledge that was led by our own Mr Chandan Nath and taken by all in the panel and audience to work towards achieving the World Heritage City status for Ahmedabad at the earliest. This brought the event to a close.
The city has celebrated its 600th birthday this year. Ahmedabad has applied for the status of World Heritage City from UNESCO. Accomplishment of this milestone will make Ahmedabad the first ever Indian World Heritage City, as against 200 in Europe, 3 in China, even 1 each in Sri Lanka and Nepal. We would have played a small role with a sustained drive of this initiative. This is what Bobby meant when he wanted us to take each idea & make it large.
It was a matter of great pride for everyone at Ignite Mudra today, in fact the extended Mudra Family itself. Overall, Ahmedabad First would be the first such initiative that would unify all efforts towards making Ahmedabad India’s first World Heritage City and will need to be supported in every way possible by all proud and interested ‘Amdavadis’ & 'Mudraites'. It will soon have an online presence through its website, www.ahmedabadfirst.com , and would seek contributions in terms of content, pictures and information to create a single point where all World Heritage City efforts can be showcased. Several other follow up ideas are being thought up, all suggestions, tips & comments are welcome on ahmedabadfirst@gmail.com
This event, at such a short notice, would not have been possible without the active involvement of some people from Ignite Mudra. Ronak Shah & his team comprising of Shresth & Yashraj pulled out all stops to ensure that the event was smoothly executed from planning to execution. Take a bow guys. Vivek, Dipen & Kedar (KD) for turning around a lovely logo & accompanying creative elements, from invites to mailers to backdrop to standee to poster to the pledge itself, including an unreleased press ad were all well received. Take a look at them (attached). Krishnaraj for helping with the planning of the event & for acting as speech-writer, copy-writer & journalist rolled into one. Arul for ensuring that there was a significant audience turn-out at the venue. Mehul & Siddhanth for being there at various points during the process. Everybody else at Ignite Mudra for supporting the cause & the event in every possible way, pat yourselves on the back.
This note of thanks would be incomplete without thanking Mr. Debashish Nayak for his untiring spirit & enthusiasm for Ahmedabad & his passion for making Ahmedabad a World Heritage City, who was always around to help & guide us in every possible way. Last but not the least, Chandan Nath for being a part of every bit that we did towards this event, from co-ordinating with various members of the team, to talking to eminent people to giving me constant feedback on all aspects. Mr. Shailendra Nautiyal for organising the support from Yuva Unstoppable at a very short notice, which will be a very important part of the future of this initiative.
Mr. Kamath, thank you for suggesting we do something around the 600 years celebration, being there and taking it from the front. Your presence bolstered our spirits. Prof. Ranchhod for agreeing at once to be a part of this initiative, even agreeing to host it at MICA, thank you Sir.
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
~~~
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
~~~
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
~~~
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
~~~
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