Heritage walk reminds civic body of ensuring garbage-free roads on World Tourism Day
A heritage walk organised by INTACH to observe World Tourism Day on Friday exposed the hollow claims of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation civic authorities to ensure garbage-free roads in city. Heaps of garbage on roadsides need to be lifted before 6 am to run a regular walk.
INTACH member and guide Gurinder Singh Johal led students during the heritage walk and explained the city’s history and heritage to them. The walk went through narrow winding streets and bazaars, established during the period of Sikh Gurus.
Commencing from Town Hall, the students visited Gurdwara Saragarhi, Qila Ahluwalia, Chowk Jalebi Wala, Akhara Sangalwala, Chitta Akhara, Darshani Deori, Thakurdawara Dariana Mall, Chowk Chourasti Attari and streets.
The gurdwara at Chaurasti Attari is associated with Guru Hargobind Sahib. The students were told that in Punjabi, Attari means plinth or a higher place from the ground and it is believed that the Guru used to sit over there. They learnt about the bravery of the Sikh regiment against the Afghans during British rule through Saragarhi Gurdwara, which was built by the SGPC.
Sangalwala Akhara, situated on the fringes of the Golden Temple, is a centre of Udasin cult. The Akhara is considered a storehouse of Hindi religious literature written in the Gurmukhi script.
The students were from various schools, including Baba Aya Singh Riarki College at Tugalwala, Springdale Senior Secondary School and SKD Senior Secondary School, participated in the walk. The heritage walk was inaugurated by ADC Gursimran Jit Kaur. In her address to the students, she put some light on the importance of World Tourism Day. She was honoured by Gagandeep Singh Virk, in charge, INTACH, Amritsar chapter.
Tourist Officers Sukhman Singh and Mandeep Kaur were also part of the event.
Gagandeep Singh Virk, convener of INTACH Amritsar chapter, felicitated Gursimranjit Kaur, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, with a memorial and Phulkari, showcasing the city’s cultural heritage. INTACH extended special thanks to the ADC and heritage guide Gurinder Singh Johal for their invaluable contributions.
The walk concluded at the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Ram Bagh.
