Conference on ‘Himalayan heritage, economic rejuvenation’

Our Correspondent

Nurpur, December 17

How faith, religious customs and economic values are kept alive by women across Himachal Pradesh and how they assist in retaining the traditions and the economy of the hill state was the main focus in the research paper presented by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Himachal Pradesh, in the recent national conference held at Dehradun in Uttarakhand.

The conference on ‘Himalyan heritage; Community led economic regeneration’ had been organised jointly by the Uttrakhand Chapter of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the intangible cultural heritage division of INTACH, India.

Hailing from Nurpur, Maalvika Pathania, the HP state convener for INTACH, presented her research paper on ‘Women and intangible heritage, custodians of Himachal Pradesh. Her presentation reflected interlinks between innovation in ideas and fine values. It also highlighted the role of cooperatives and self-help groups of women in the state that are providing impetus to their earnings and keeping the local traditions alive. The presentation also spoke of numerous roles of women in playing sustainability of the hill state.

The two-day conference had 24 presentations and varied sessions.