The Patiala Foundation hosted its 155th Patiala Heritage Walk on Saturday, August 10, 2024, attracting over 100 enthusiastic participants. It was inspiring to see the active involvement of young people, reflecting Patiala Foundation's consistent efforts to instill in the youth a deep appreciation for the rich heritage of their city and the responsibility we all share in safeguarding it.
For the past nine years, the Foundation has been at the forefront of heritage recognition efforts in Patiala and across the state, mobilizing the youth to act as ambassadors of our rich heritage and take pride in it. The Walk was ledby CEO Ravee Singh Ahluwalia, the 1.2 K.M. heritage trail began at Shahi Samadhan and concluded at Qila Mubarak.
The walk was graced by Mr. Aditya Dachalwal, IAS Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Patiala, whose presence added significance to the event. The Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to the district administration under the leadership of Mr. Showkat Ahmad Parray, IAS Deputy Commissioner of Patiala, and the police administration led by Dr. Nanak Singh, IPS, SSP Patiala. We also express our gratitude to the SHO of Qila Chowk, members of Patiala Foundation, volunteers, and interns, whose dedicated efforts ensured the success of the walk. Patiala Foundation is ever grateful for their unwavering support.
During the event, Mr. Ahluwalia narrated the historical significance of the buildings and monuments along the trail. He emphasized the urgency of preserving these monuments, stressing that their continued existence cannot be taken for granted.
If not preserved, we risk losing a vital part of our culture. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that restoration efforts by concerned departments avoid any distortion in the architecture of these heritage buildings. This is essential to preserve the rich architectural designs of that era, so they can be showcased to our younger generations in the years to come.
Additionally, Mr. Ahluwalia requested the administration to restore the historic public water tap at Haveliwala Mohalla on an immediate basis before it is lost to development. He further advocated for community participation in the timely preservation of our heritage and taking pride in it.
About Patiala Foundation's iHERITAGE Project
Since 2009, Patiala Foundation has been dedicated to various social welfare projects. The Foundation has held Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (UN-ECOSOC) since 2018.
The iHERITAGE Project, aligned with UN-SDG 8, 9, 11, 15, and 17, aims to recognize heritage sites in Punjab and encourage public engagement with their heritage. Numerous events have been conducted under this initiative to raise awareness about heritage and culture.
Patiala Foundation also plays an active role in all Patiala Heritage Festivals and has signed an MOU with the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) to promote tourism and heritage walk routes in Punjab.
Events Organized by Patiala Foundation under the iHERITAGE Project
The trial of the Patiala Heritage Walk was initiated in 2013. To date, Patiala Foundation has organized 165 heritage walks, directly engaging approximately 15,000 people with heritage sites. The first official Heritage Walk was held on September 25, 2016, from Shahi Samadhan to Qila Mubarak, with over 500 participants. The second walk took place at Bhadurgarh Fort on March 25, 2018, led by the Hon’ble IG Range Patiala.
The third walk was held at Village Ghuram on September 30, 2018, led by the Hon’ble Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Punjab. Subsequent walks include the fourth at Dargah (Panj Peer), Samana on September 22, 2019, with over 1,000 participants, and the fifth at Sultanpur Lodhi on November 3, 2019, in celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th birth anniversary.
Additionally, 1,200 students participated in the “Know Your City” project, and the sixth Heritage Walk at Qila Androon, Patiala was graced by S. Mandeep Singh Sidhu, SSP (Vigilance). The most recent walk at Baradari Gardens, Patiala, on October 8, 2023, was attended by over 500 participants and led by Dr. Balbir Singh, Minister of Health and Family Welfare.
The Heritage Food Festival and Walk at Baradari Gardens, part of Heritage Festival 2024 on February 4, 2024, saw an enthusiastic crowd of more than 2,500 visitors.