File picture of students from DPS Kalinga taking oath to save cultural heritage at Barbati fort in Cuttack

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 1: Local chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) has formed heritage clubs in city schools to sensitise students about the need to conserve heritage sites.

So far, 120 students from three schools have signed up for the clubs.

Mother’s Public School and Ruchika School were the two major English medium institutes to join the club nearly three months ago, while the government-run Nayapalli High School became a member last month after the Intach members organised an orientation programme for its students.

The heritage clubs in schools are conducting video shows on ancient monuments and students are given printed materials both in English and Odia to understand the subject and develop an interest in the field. Principal of Mother’s Public School Poly said: “Our students have always been actively involved in raising awareness about our rich cultural legacy by taking part in heritage tours, competitions and working out curriculum projects on this theme. Now, with formal collaboration with the Intach, such activities have received a boost.”

A Class IX student of the school, Shubhangi Priyadarshini, who is a member of the heritage club, said the historical significance of the heritage sites had always intrigued her. “Our state has so many ancient temples and I have always found rediscovering our heritage a thrilling experience. Since a majority of our heritage properties are not in good shape, we must take steps to protect and conserve them. It is painful to see how youngsters destroy and deface them by scribbling on the structures and littering such sites,” she said.

Headmaster of Nayapalli High School Prafulla Kumar Senapati said around 120 students of his school had attended the orientation programme of Intach. Thirty-two students of Senapati’s institute joined the club.

“We are also planning trips to city monuments near the school, so that they can learn about the conservation aspects and how to keep the surroundings clean,” he said.

Convenor of the local chapter Hariharan Balakrishnan said Intach would organise visits for children to temples and heritage sites to expose them to the significance of the structures and educate them about the need to prevent vandalism and maintain sanctity of the heritage sites.

Intach-Bhubaneswar advisor S.K.B. Narayan sounded hopeful that the concept of heritage clubs would yield good results as it is found that the majority of students had limited knowledge on the culture and heritage issues of their own state.

“We want to include all major schools across the city in phases,” he said.