Page 24 - Synergy 17-18

he United Nations World Tourism Organization has been celebrating various dimensions of
tourism since 1980. Since then every year the UNWTO zeroes in on a theme and a hosting
Tcountry. However, the celebrations happen in every corner of the world. This year too, the UNWTO
decided on ‘Sustainable Tourism: A Tool for Development’ as the theme for 2017. Sustainable tourism
means a tourism that doesn’t harm or degrade the environment and at the same time ensures that the
development benefits percolates down to the lowest sub-sections of the society.
Guru Nanak College of Arts, Science and Commerce have always been in the forefront of assimilating
contemporary issues in its curriculum and keep its students at par with the rest of the world. Hence, the
Departments of History and Environmental Studies took the reins in their hands to sensitize the youth
of today about preserving and conserving our heritage and culture. Thus, a series of 11 varied inter-
collegiate student centric events was organized on 19th December 2017 under the banner of ‘Time
Travel: A Journey to our Heritage’. These events were folk dancing, folk singing, short film making, street-
play, jingle making, photography, fashion show, quiz, wall painting, essay writing and travel stories. The
event was highlighted in the United Nations website and pinned on the World Map.
The student volunteers from the faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce and Self-finance took the initiative
and interest in organizing this event. This army of young minds and high levels of energy were the
driving force behind this programme.
The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Sachin Mehta who is a pioneer in responsible and experiential
tourism. He is the Managing Director of Stuti Travels Pvt. Ltd. and the Business Expert in Tourism at
Economic Commission for Europe of United
Nations and Travel and Tourism Project working
group since 2015. He is currently involved in
many projects including ‘Developing Sustainable
Tourism in Remote Villages’. His expertise
in and proximity to the theme made him an
apt chief guest for the programme. His passion
for the subject and his experience kindled a
fire in the hearts of the students, thereby giving
the event a splendid start.
A power-packed and energetic Ganpati
TIME TRAVEL F.Y.B.Sc. from the Guru Nanak College Dance
performance
by the students of
dance
Academy and an ethereal and elegant Bharatnatyam performance during the inauguration had set the

A JOURNEY TO OUR HERITAGE mood for the upcoming events.
21 colleges, including the host college, from Mumbai and Mumbai Suburbs had participated in great
numbers for these events. Over 200 students from host and guest colleges had shown their literary,
acting, dancing, photography and fashion ability through these events. The preparation for these events
augmented their awareness about India’s diverse culture and rich heritage and they were able to share
their new found knowledge in the course of their performances. Saniya Ahmedji from Guru Nanak
Khalsa College bagged the Best Contingent Leader (CL) prize while V. P. M.’s R. Z. Shah College won
the best participating college. Guru Nanak College became the best college through its wins across
events. But being a host college, they forfeited the trophy and Guru Nanak Khalsa College, who was
second in line, won the Best college.
All of this was possible because of our sponsors who generously and whole-heartedly contributed for
such a grave and vital cause. Our media partner, Maharashtra Times helped us in covering the events
pre and post 19th December.
Many events have been organized all around the world since January 2017 and would be going on till
the end of the year. Time Travel: A Journey to our Heritage was one of the many events that had made
a humble yet imperative endeavor towards sustainable tourism. The overwhelming participation from
the students and the monetary and moral support from the sponsors made this event a grand success.

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