Executive Summary


(v) Project Features

 

• This project marks the beginning of the resurgence and renaissance of culture of Punjab.

 

• The establishment of the Conservatory at Qilā Sarāi, and the conservation and development of some key structures and locations of Sultānpur Lodhi, has to be seen as the first catalytic action towards the development of Sultānpur Lodhi.

 

• The proposal for conserving and enhancing the tangible and intangible heritage of Sultānpur Lodhi is consistent with the objectives of an appropriate  evolution of the town with supporting its cultural activities and traditional crafts.

 

• The conservation and revitalization of Sultānpur Lodhi can become an exemplary laboratory for sustainable development both at national and international level.

 

 

Considering the importance of the relics of Sarai in Sultanpur Lodhi, it should now become the seat of Anad foundation. Sarai in the historical context used to be a place (not a building) for traders and merchants from many cultures to meet. In this sense the idea of Sarai was an important place/ground for meeting of many cultures.
Through such a Sarai the ideas of many cultures went out as well as were absorbed by the local people.
Conceptually there was a great strength in its multi-cultural absorptions and Sarai as a built form expressed this important function. Using the strength of Sarai’s original conception it would be very pertinent to associate Anad Foundation once again with such a strong premise as its objective and vision coincide with the idea of propagating cultural richness.
In our opinion this could be the most appropriate reuse for this historic place.


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(vi) ANĀD Scientific Advisory Committee (ASAC)
Context

 

• We believe that the conservation projects have to be handled from a cultural perspective.

 

• The focus, so far, has been towards the tangible heritage but in a limited sense i.e. to collect objects related to the people (from our hoary past) and other assets such as interior furnishings.

 

• It is important to think about the critical intangible assets of our heritage - the assets that can only be lived and for which we need to recreate the environment which inspired the great masters of yore.

 

• The vision of ANĀD Conservatory is to remedy the way in which our precious heritage assets have been dealt with and save both, the tangible and the intangible assets from an irretrievable loss.

 

• Losing the intangibles will mean our future generations may not have a proper sense of history and would not be able to access our cultural riches.

 

• To remedy a callous attitude and inept handling of the cultural and heritage assets in South Asia, Bhai Baldeep Singh has set up the ANĀD Scientific Advisory Committee (ASAC), a multi-disciplinary conglomerate of experts from different countries who have responsibly handled similar projects and who can contribute towards the realization of the objectives of The ANĀD Foundation.

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(vii) ANĀD Scientific Advisory Committee (ASAC)

 

 

Bhai Baldeep Singh
Paolo Ceccarelli
Suad Aimiry
Claudio Alessandri
Randolph T. Hester
Amarjeet Kalsi
Sajjad Kausar
Masood A Khan
Marcia McNally
A.G.K. Menon
Kamil Khan Mumtaz
Ashok B Lall
Daniele Pini
Wu Quingzhou
Shigeru Satoh
Rabindra J. Vasavada
Fernand

 

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(viii) Rehabilitation of Qila Sarai at Sultānpur Lodhi

 

The Qila Sarai at Sultānpur Lodhi is possibly the best place for implementing such a programme. It has important historical buildings to be restored that are suitable for new uses. In addition, the wide area inside its walls, once cleared of the new low quality buildings can accommodate carefully designed, architecturally relevant new facilities for training, performing and residential functions. Creative landscape architecture will be an integral part of the plan in order to make the site an inspiring place to live, work and think.

 

The programme for the physical rehabilitation and the development of new activities in the Qila Sarai should include the following components:
1. A detailed survey of existing buildings, their structural conditions, architectural quality,  present uses, etc.;
2. A project for redesigning the whole area (buildings to be maintained or demolished, design of open spaces, design of  proposed buildings, etc.);
3. A financial, legal and management feasibility study of the process of implementation of the project (funding, public-private partnerships, the attraction potential of the area, management of the process of rehabilitation and new development, etc.);

4. A programme of cultural, artistic, and other activities to be developed at Sultānpur Lodhi Fortress. The programme should also take into consideration cultural activities currently offered in Kapurthala, the tourist attraction power of the town’s heritage, etc.

 

(ix) Management of the Programme

 

The Sultānpur Lodhi revitalisation programme conceived and promoted by ANĀD Foundation will be developed and monitored by the ANĀD Scientific Advisory Committee (ASAC) consisting of some of the most eminent people drawn from various fields. It will be worked out in operational terms and implemented by an Executive Committee appointed by The Anad Foundation.

 

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(x) Financing of the Programme

 

Given the ambitious objectives and the magnitude of the projects the programme will necessarily require a joint public-private partnership. A fund-raising plan will be worked-out by ANĀD Foundation.

Private donors will be approached through a worldwide fund raising campaign addressing both the Indian and Sikh diaspora all over the world, international agencies and foundations. The possibility of raising financial resources from international bilateral cooperation programmes will also be explored.

 

   
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