REACH FOUNDATION honoured this year (5th year)- 3 more Heritage Conservators - who have been so well contributing to the cause of Preserving Cultural assets in India (and abroad).
THANJAVUR PRINCE :: Traditional Temple Trustee with 88 temples under care of which about 86 conserved - with the help of Donors - rendered his speech on acceptance of award : "" PREFER TO BEAR THE PALLAKKU.. THAN SITTING INSIDE THAT !! ""
EMANUEL HUQUE - A Muslim Scholar from Bangladesh - only UNESCO representative in South east - to identify and recommend Monuments - upon whose recommendations - THE BRAHADESWARA at Gangai Konda cholapuram and THE IRAWADESHWARA at Darasuram - were also declared as World Heritage Monuments.
He recommended these two along with the BIG TEMPLE - World Heritage Monument - as LIVING CHOLA TEMPLE (Temple in Worship !! )..
Mr. RAMKUMAR (son of erst while Kannada Film Director Mr. Ranga) - Who produced wonderful Documentary films on Reputed Heritage sites like Ajantha / Ellora and free distributed to Schools.. and continuing to bring more than 150000 school children under Heritage awareness programme...
His Document on Uthiramerur - conservation scheme by REACH - is well presented...
Dr. Krishnamurthy Dinamalar - who recd the REACH AWARD last year for having identified the PERUVAZHUTHI coin - which established that the Sangam Tamil Kings minted their Own coins and did not depend on Rome coins (as was postulated earlier) - is also instrumental in the development of First Tamil Software " sri .. " - which was later marked by a Pune Business house. Dr. KM did not claim any royalty and submitted that development as his humble contribution to the Thamizhthaai .. !!
He impressed upon bringing more children under heritage awareness programmes.
During the tenure of Dr. TS Sridhar - (as TN Museums Commissioner) now Addl Secretary to the Government - the INDHALUR COPPER PLATES were found, read and Books Published (with the help of Dr. Padhmavathi).
He honoured the Awardees and rendered an inspiring speech re Heritage preservation.
Prof Swaminathan, IIT Mathews and other dignitaries were present.
Swarnamalya well planned her dance progrm related to the Sahithyas of Sarfoji - saint thyagaraja !! It was very well appreicated by all - particularly by Scholar Emanuel Huque.
Our Long standing Demand to create YOUTH HERITAGE CLUBs in the Schools (and Colleges later ) is again highlighted on this occasion and he offered to examine the proposal when submitted in detail.
State Archlgist Mr. Ramachandran was also present among the diginitaries.
Dr. TSM conducted the function very well. REACH Trustees coordianted well. PRO our dear Plastic CHANDRA was as usual very active and mentioned the contribution of PS Group - cited a few like dear Vijay / Katherine and others - for creating more awareness to preserve the cultural assets.