Council News February 2022 Issue 2

Conversations on Rejuvenation of Cultural and Historical Cities: Kashisaar

The Government of Uttar Pradesh organized a meet for architects at BHU Varanasi, on 3 and 4 January 2022. The Faculty of Architecture and Planning, AKTU, Government of UP hosted the programme in collaboration with Council of Architecture, India. The two-day event featured an inauguration, an academic symposium, a Ganges cruise, and tours of the new Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and Sarnath.

Dr Neelkanth Tiwari, Honorable Minister of State Tourism & Culture, addressed the inaugural session. Dr Tiwari outlined the commitment of the Uttar Pradesh Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in rejuvenating historic cities throughout the state. An exhibition showcasing the redevelopment and design of the Kashi Corridor curated by Ar Bimal Patel's office and studio work of the students of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, AKTU, was also inaugurated by Dr Neelkanth Tiwari.

Dr Vineet Kansal, Vice-Chancellor of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow, delivered the welcome address. He emphasized the importance of practical application of theoretical knowledge in technical education. Further, he added that more than 750 institutes under the umbrella of AKTU are committed to achieving this cause.

Ar Sapna, Vice President, Council of Architecture, shared her thoughts on the significance of public awareness in heritage conservation.

Principal Secretary, Technical Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Mr Amrit Abhijat, highlighted that this meet is the first in the series of many to increase the involvement of stakeholders.

Dr Vandana Sehgal, Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, AKTU, reminisced her experiences of various historical cities that she portrayed through her paintings. During the parikramas, she perceived various tangible and intangible aspects that constitute the soul of these cities.

Dr Amogh Gupta, President Vigyan Bharati Madhya Bharati, opined that daily experiences if documented, become Gyan, and when they are made public, they become Vigyan.

Shri Jitin Prasad, Cabinet Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh, gave his greetings and best wishes through a virtual address.

Mr Sunil Chowdhary, Special Secretary, Technical Education, gave a vote of thanks to all the dignitaries and the host institutions, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, AKTU and IIT BHU for successfully organizing the event.

Prof K. T. Ravindran from the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, spoke at the technical session on the enigma of Indian cities and the problems involved in modernizing them.

The representatives of HCP Consultants, the Principal Architect of the prestigious Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, discussed the details, challenges and intricacies involved in the rejuvenation.

Dr Alka Pandey talked about the representation of the concept of Ardhanarishwar in various art forms ranging from paintings to sculptures.

Ar J. M. Kartikar from Design Associates presented his works on the rejuvenation of streets leading to Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar.

Prof Rana P. B. Singh enlightened the audience on the historical, cosmological and metaphysical aspects of Varanasi - from the significance of the name 'Banaras' to the relevance of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor to the devotees and the city as a whole.

Dr Vandana Sehgal, Dean Faculty of Architecture and Planning, AKTU,

concluded the event by inviting the dignitaries and delegates for a Roro cruise ride to witness Ganga Aarti, followed by a gala dinner and cultural program.

Eminent Architects/ Academicians across the country attended the meet and visited Kashi Vishwanath Corridor the next day, followed by a trip to the Sarnath archaeological site.