SHILLONG, April 23: In line with the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign which aims to raise awareness on the importance of heritage and culture in India, a heritage walk was organised here on Sunday by IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo and InterGlobe Foundation (IGF), the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises.
Curated by Mary Therese Kurkalang, who has worked in the art, culture, publishing and social sector since 1995, the walk started from Dylan’s Café where a brief history of each of the spaces that the team would be walking through was outlined. The stops were St Edmund’s School, Laitumkhrah market, Police Point, Don Bosco Square, the Shillong Catholic Cathedral, Upper Lachaumiere, and finally Pinewood Hotel.
It was as if the Indigo team which was present in full strength all ready with the blue umbrellas and the Indigo logo had brought the much-awaited rains with them. But the rain which came thick and firsts with bursts of lightning and thunder did not deter the walkers. There were conversations along the way while at the different stops, Mary Kurkalang briefed the team about Shillong’s art and cultural history and its heritage while co-curator of the walk Anees Ailynti Noronha highlighted the music scene of Shillong much to the delight of the walkers.
The Indigo team were enthralled by the aura of the Catholic Cathedral and its ambiance although they were not able to make their entry into the Cathedral as Sunday Mass was going on at the time. Some did manage to get a peep inside the Grotto Church downstairs.
Secretary Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, Cyril Diengdoh walked the entire route despite the relentless rain. At Hotel Pinewood where the team finally ended their walk and had their refreshments, Diengdoh thanked the Indigo and InterGlobe team for choosing Shillong for the walk as this would popularise this city. He also urged the Indigo team to increase the number of flights to Shillong and connect it to more destinations.
Also at Hotel Pinewood, Mebansharai Khongwir gave an insight of the indigenous Khasi faith to the group. He spoke of a creator God but the Khasi belief in different spirits. The group found this information very interesting.
Later at the press meet, Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson Interglobe Foundation the CSR wing of Indigo highlighted the purpose of the heritage walk. “We are trying to connect people, increase footfall to improve economies in a small way and also to create awareness and have the youth especially to be proud of their heritage. Only when we take pride in our heritage can we do something to take it further. If you take pride in your heritage you take pride even in the cleanliness of your place. It has a sort of cascading effect on every aspect and get people motivated. We need your support to succeed in this mission. You have such a beautiful place and should be proud of it,” Bhatia said.
Pieter Elbers, CEO, Interglobe Aviation (Indigo) told media persons that the idea of the heritage walk is to take Shillong to the rest of India and the rest of the world. “We are trying to get in more international flights and we want people from India and international visitors too to know where Shillong is. This month our flight magazine focussed on Shillong.” Elbers said, adding that this was his first visit to Shillong and the rain gave a mystical feeling and he was looking forward to revisit the city. “We have come with big delegation from Indigo and we want to take this whole mission forward.
C Leekha, Vice President Communications said the objective of the heritage walk is to set the tone for conversations and partnerships around the preservation of both tangible and intangible heritage.
‘My City My Heritage’ campaign kicked off in November last year in Delhi, followed by heritage walks in Prayagraj and Bhubaneswar.
Several IndiGo senior leadership, staff members, members of local community and government officials took part in the heritage walk.
Many passersby who are not aware of the purpose of the walk were surprised to see the blue Indigo umbrellas and wondered why Indigo has descended on Shillong with a vengeance
