Visakhaptnam Chapter
The Visakhapatnam Chapter of INTACH has eminent personalities from various walks of life as patrons and life members.
INTACH Visakhapatnam Chapter has been active since Year 2000 and has conducted many programmes, some of which are listed below:
a. First Heritage Walk of Visakhapatnam on 27th September 2001.
b. World Heritage Day Celebrations on 18th April every year starting from 2002.
c. Heritage Building Restoration projects: Kurupam Rani Monument, Bhimli Choultry Restoration, St. Peters Church in Bhimli.
d. Fight for protection of Heritage Buildings like Residence of Dr. Sarvepalli Radha Krishnan, Visakha Museum, Circuit House, Collector's Office.
e. Documentation of Heritage Buildings of Visakhapatnam district.
f. Heritage Awards to educational institutes, individuals and the best maintained heritage building.
g. Reconstitution of Heritage Conservation Committee of VUDA.
Visakhapatnam, like other cities in India, has witnessed many historical events. Heritage buildings, in and around the city, stand testimony to the events that have shaped Vizagpatnam. To safeguard these monuments, INTACH re-activated the Visakhapatnam Chapter in 2001 with the Collector Mr. J.S.V Prasad as convener and Mr. G. Srinivas Murthy as co-convener.
In addition, INTACH, Visakhapatnam, hosts numerous festivals, folk dances and musical recitals to publicise the differing cultures of the local region. To involve and enthuse the young, it had organised treasure hunts, exhibitions and conducted seminars and lectures in which experts from many fields speak on topics such as 'Practices in conservation methods'.
Operating Strategy
1.Awareness:
An awareness campaign is the first priority. People associated with heritage sites and issues feel any move in the direction of restoration or documentation will mean losing ownership of the site. Attempts must first be made to involve local people in the creation of a, "Correct Path for Action".
Vision: To ensure INTACH's role is publicly recognised as being an awareness generating voluntary movement and agency. To take up projects on a charitable as well as a professional basis
Action: Most activities will be carried out through volunteer groups coordinated by the Chapter's Central Committee. Immediately after establishment the following activities will be implemented:
a. Design and placement of posters inviting volunteer members from the local academic community.
b. Launch an incentive oriented membership drive.
c. Form Sun-groups, with an independent HOD, to identify and implement specific assignments.
d. Prepare and publish a schedule of activities and develop tourist interest. Find ways to ensure the activities are part of most tourist's itinerary.
2. Exhibitions:
a. Plan exhibitions of existing material
b. Commission new projects with the help of students of architecture, fine arts and history (similar to students of architecture's documentation work for NASA etc.)
c. Department of Public Relations, Vizag Journalist Forum, etc., to be involved in the preparation a joint exhibition action plan.
3. Seminars and Lectures
a. Schedule, prepare and implement seminars and lectures on a regular basis. A regular venue for such activities must be identified.
b. Identify suitable subjects, material and lecturers for seminars and lectures.
c. Identify and document resources and appropriate experts for future reference.
d. Projects/topics for consideration: Visakhapatnam Old Town area, old palaces and local princely states and their history, Bhimili Town Area, Vizianagaram Town, Bobbilli Palace, Srikakulam Temples, Thotlakonda and Bojjannakonda Buddhist sites.
4. Funds: Raising and Maintaining
Funds will be generated as follows:
a. A membership drive
b. Project Specific corporate sponsors and donors.
c. Government contribution in cash and kind
d. INTACH National Head Quarters Contribution on a Project Specific Basis.
A separate account has been opened and will be maintained jointly by the Convener and Co-convener of the Chapter. All projects expenses be approved by the Convener.
VISAKHAPATNAM CHAPTER ACTIVITIES FROM
OCTOBER 2021- OCTOBER 2022
VISAKHAPATNAM CHAPTER ACTIVITIES FROM
OCTOBER 2021- OCTOBER 2022
Dr. D. Rajasekhar Reddy as an Adviser Geoheritage coordinated the Intach celebrations of International Geodiversity Day across the country, prepared a District wise list of 180 Geosites for the entire country; encouraged and guided the Chapters and the schools to plan, post in the UNESCO website and celebrate the events. There was a overwhelming response from across the country which was acknowledged and appreciated by the UNESCO IGD organizers.
During this period ten Life Members (of which two existing Associate Members) and eight ordinary members joined Intach. Two new Intach School Heritage Clubs were formed viz. Delhi Public School, Anandapuram and Universal Public School, Visakhapatnam.
Visakhapatnam Chapter organized a Heritage Volunteer Training Workshop on 28 October for the first time in Visakhapatnam with the participation of 80 students from Departments of Geology and Architecture Andhra University, Department of Architecture GITAM University and Mrs. AVN College and Dr. VS Krishna Junior College.
