Heritage is where we come from. Goa has highly enriched cultural and natural (both tangible and intangible) inheritances. These legacies are now threatened from various quarters- social neglect, willful ignorance, rapid urbanization, unplanned development, cultural hegemony and above all blatant commercialization. Hence, the need now is to understand, protect and preserve these heritages.
In this direction, the Panaji-based Ganga Zuari Academy has been working to galvanise public opinion on heritage conservation. Working in tandem with the Ministry/Department of Tourism (Government of Goa), this Academy conducted six major programs during the last seven months- Prabhat Pheri, Cyclothon, and Documentary Film-fest celebrating World Mother Language Day and giving away Social Goodness Award. The last program in this series culminated with the release of a book titled HERITAGE IS OUR SOUL by the honourable Minister for Tourism Mr. Rohan Khaunte at the International Centre, Dona Paula on 29 July, Saturday.
With articles contributed by leading historians, folklore experts, university faculties, scientists, and social workers in the state, the book is sponsored by the Department of Tourism and published by a leading international publishing house. The minister called upon the educationists and intellectuals, especially those from this Academy, to help in the endeavour of his Ministry to make scientific documentation of heritage artefacts, Geographical Identification of folklores and rituals, and the Blue economy mapping of the seventeen islands of Goa in realising their full heritage-tourism potentials. Stressing that Goa tourism must travel beyond beaches, the minister insisted that the concept of Heritage–History-Tourism must be sowed at the school level and assured all help to the Academy in connecting people to the effort of the Ministry of Tourism.
Among others, Dr. Pandurang Phaldesai, Dr. Rajiv Nigam, Dr. Basavadatta Mitra, Dr. Prajal Sakhardande, Amita Sharma, Anil Bhattacharya, Amitabh Moitro and Bimalendu Dey were present at the function. Later PV Sathe anchored the monthly Manthan program of the Academy on The Ethical Dilemmas in Mahabharata. Manthan is a dialogue platform of the Academy for Commoners held last Saturday of every month.