Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 18: As a part of the World Heritage Week celebrations in Jammu, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH Jammu Chapter) celebrated November 18 in Jammu Cantonment with the release of brochure of built heritage of Jammu Cantonment with a history of built heritage of more than 150 years.
The heritage buildings mostly built in 1890 onwards are existing in a well maintained manner by the Indian Army. An impressive function was organized to highlight the built heritage of Jammu Cantonment. Maj Gen Sharad Kapur, was the chief guest where as Air Commodore Ajay Singh Pathania, and Maj Gen (retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, , Advisor INTACH Jammu Chapter on Military Heritage were the guests of honour.
SM Sahni, Former Director Tourism Jammu and presently convenor, INTACH Jammu Chapter explained the beginning of the World Heritage Week celebrations 2019 with the documentation, listing and release of brochure of built heritage of Jammu Cantonment. He mentioned that all these buildings have been listed under the able guidance of Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal.
Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal in his address gave a brief history of the State forces as well as Indian Army right from Gen. Zorawar Singh’s time to the present era. He also explained the importance of built heritage existing in Jammu Cantonment. The history starts from the J&K State Dogra Forces way back in 1890 when the first Railway Station now in Air Force Station Area was built and accordingly other buildings like the Satwari House, the Topi Bungalow, the Usman Officers Institute, the J&K Army Training Centre now Station Canteen, the Railway Station of Jammu Cantonment now Army Station Headquarters and so on.
Air Commodore A S Pathania, explained the built heritage falling under his jurisdiction in the Air Force Station Jammu and gave impressive brief about its maintenance, preservation with changed use of the Built Heritage as per the requirements.
In his presidential remarks Maj Gen Sharad Kapur, GOC 26 Infantry Division highlighted the importance of built heritage of Jammu Cantonment. He said most of the buildings are in good condition. The Indian Army is maintaining them with its reuse plan for which he advised them to preserve and conserve the heritage buildings for the future generations which at one stage will be a history. He feels honoured to live in Topi Bungalow, one of the prestigious heritage houses of the Cantonment. He complimented the INTACH for initiating the listing, documentation and coming out with a document released by him today.
Dr. CM Seth co-convenor INTACH J&K proposed vote of thanks.
Dr. Sudhir Singh life member of INTACH conducted the proceedings.
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