Just a landmark?

NEW WAVE

Heritage sites, which stand the test of time and beauty, are feared to be slowly losing their shine and significance in the City. 

A section of today’s youngsters hardly view historical places as a symbol of pride. One also sees a lot of garbage and trash, from chips packets to cigarette butts, strewn around these places.

As Metrolife interacted with a few college students and graduates, they had their own opinion on the importance of historic places — from their deteriorating relevance to the role that schools should play in inculcating an interest for history in the minds of students. 

In this time and age of a shrinking, globalised world, it is important to understand the glorious past for a better future.

It’s a mall world

Navyashree, a student of multimedia from Wiztoonz College of Media and Design, said that heritage sites today have lost their relevance among the youth. “People have a very vague idea about such monuments and school trips don’t do enough to promote these places either. The youth visit them merely for enjoyment and aren’t worried about the historical aspect of these places. With today’s booming mall culture, youngsters prefer malls over heritage sites. Apart from being tourist spots, these places serve as a picnic spot for the youth. Schools should organise more history trips as part of the curriculum and the governments should organise camps and heritage walks.”

Unique selling point! 

Tanveer, a media studies graduate, said that heritage sites are very important because they are unique to a city. 

 “The malls are everywhere but heritage sites talk about a city’s attitude. Youngsters don’t really care right now because of the lack of time. They are only interested in going there and taking selfies. The government should advertise more about the preservation of heritage sites.”  

OLD IS GOLD

Sayontan, a psychology student of Montford, said that there aren’t many youngsters visiting heritage sites nowadays. “Though these spots are of great beauty, people today have no time to visit them. Schools should do their bit by organising trips to these places and telling students about their architectural and aesthetic values. This helps students of history and archeology. Heritage sites shouldn’t become bus stops or landmarks.”

Teach them young! 

Nikith Thomas, a mass communication student, said, “Malls are the one-stop-shop for youngsters while heritage sites don’t really offer a lot in terms of enjoyment. Hence, we on our own don’t make it a point to go there. But schools should do their bit as otherwise the younger generation will not understand the value of historical places.”

A commodity called culture

Priyanka, a first-year student of masters in mass communication, is of the same opinion. “Heritage sites are being maintained but they are not up to the mark,” she opined. 

“We can go and appreciate them once but not all the time. Even if youngsters hang out there, they should do so in a civilised way. Strict rules should be introduced at heritage sites and people should adhere to them. Schools must do their bit to instil heritage and culture. A few heritage sites are also very expensive even for just a visit. So youngsters refrain from going there. This is commodification as culture shouldn’t be bought and sold.”