Gram Dharohar Project

The recent Gram Dharohar project, or Village Heritage Project was conducted as a 3-day workshop from 15th-17th October at Government College Seraj in Lambathach, Mandi. The execution of the workshop was a shining example of the effective collaboration between the Himalayan Conservation and Preservation Society (HCPS) and the Himalayan Cultural and Heritage Studies (HICHS), nonprofits based in the US and Himachal, India respectively. Attended by 60 students, the workshop focused on Himalayan culture, heritage, and waste management issues. The event featured lectures by Dr. Sonali Gupta, President and Co-Founder of HCPS and Founding Director of HICHS and the HICHS team, including Reena Solanki, Krishna Singh, and Abhishek Sharma, who led the village heritage project, educating students on cleanliness and conducting a comprehensive assessment of the village’s waste management. Their report was submitted to the Himachal Pradesh Government, aiming to instigate practical change.

The workshop underscored the significance of preserving village heritage and highlighted the successful partnerships fostered by HCPS and HICHS. Dr. Sonali Gupta expressed optimism for future collaborations, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue and action to support local heritage and environmental conservation. The dedication of all participants was widely praised, particularly for raising awareness about village heritage and sustainability.

In parallel, the international research conference, held in collaboration with HCPS, HICHS and Government College Seraj at Lambathach College from 18th-19th October 2024, themed “Localizing Knowledge Formation: Towards strengthening the Vernacular Voice(s)” featured a robust lineup of lectures and paper presentations from over 100 researchers from Himachal Pradesh University, Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and local colleges. Esteemed guests included Chief Speaker Professor Vivek Kumar from JNU Delhi, Chief Guest Professor Varyam Singh also from JNU Delhi, and Special Guest Dr. Anupama Singh, Pro Vice Chancellor of SPU Mandi. Guest speakers Dr. Vidhyan C. Dash from AUD Delhi and Dr. Soumya Malaviya from IIT Mandi also contributed significantly. The conference organization was spearheaded by Assistant Professor Yamanie Sharma with support from the Acting Principal of the college, Jaya Kumari. Esteemed guests and speakers emphasized the importance of academic growth, cultural exchange, and the role of rural voices. Dr. Sonali Gupta’s presentation, “Heritage in Transition: Crisis and Local Solutions in the Western Himalayas,” highlighted the challenges and solutions related to heritage preservation in the region. She stressed HCPS and HICHS’s commitment to continuing their support and collaboration on such events.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Kelvin Wilson, a renowned archaeological illustrator and heritage consultant from the Netherlands, for his insightful presentation on the Kullu Valley. His presentation offered a captivating time-lapse journey, tracing the region’s history from the 18th century to the present day.

The workshop seamlessly connected with the broader themes of the international conference, which focused on “localizing traditions.” Both events were pivotal in promoting academic collaboration and underscoring the vital role of poetry, folk songs, and culture in society. 

*The summary of the event is based on reports from leading local newspapers in the region that extensively covered the event (Mandi Khabarnama, Sanvad News Agency, Divya Himachal, Akhil News Agency, Punjab Kesri, and Dev Bhumi Mirror)