No INTACH awards this year

Hyderabad: Moving away from convention of presenting awards to heritage structures and precincts, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Hyderabad chapter for the first time presented only certificates of appreciation to individuals who have been maintaining and preserving heritage structures in the city. This is the 22nd year since INTACH has been giving awards. The World Monuments Day is observed every year on April 18 every year. The theme for this year is ‘Heritage for Generations.’

In a novel way of protest against the state of heritage structures in the city, INTACH Hyderabad chapter did not present awards

Speaking to The Hans India, INTACH co-convener P Anuradha Reddy said this is our way of protest. Why should we give awards when the powers that be are least interested in preserving monuments. The Osmania General Hospital, for instance is a structure that needs repairs but the government does not seem to be interested.

Sajjad Shahid, of INTACH said, “Even in our weakest moments from the so called oppression who were alien to our culture we didn’t feel helpless as there was a mild protection act but now even that is gone.”  He further added, “In Mumbai there are 850 listed buildings but in Hyderabad in the last count it stood at 160, it is shameful. Such is the state of affairs that heritage structures are falling on their own or are orchestrated to fall.” About 40 persons who have been preserving heritage structures were given certificate of appreciation. A majority of them had received the INTACH heritage awards in the past.