Mapping the Capital City

As an initiative of Archinova Environs for Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) to safeguard and promote the built and natural heritage of Panaji, GHAG on July 27 released a booking titled – ‘The Mapped heritage of Panaji, 2017’ which showcases the areas of monumental existence in the premises of the capital city.

Addressing the gathering, the curator of the book, Poonam Verma Mascarenhas said that Panaji is a very special city that is studded with tree-lined avenues, riverfront promenades, parks, plazas, yellow and blue houses, churches and temples which gives it a dimension of vibrancy. “Change is an inevitable part of life and it is very well reflected on the appearance of the capital city which has evolved through drastic changes over the 4 centuries of this existence” added Mascarenhas. Further Mascarenhas, said that this book is a guide to these changes where the mapping helps one to understand the quantitative aspect of the city all in one glance.

Also speaking on the occasion, historian and a resident of Panaji for the past 37 years, Celsa Pinto said that the city of Panaji is an effort of people from various walks of life be it the engineers, architects, artisans who have helped in converting a piece of a marshy land into a commercial hub over the years. Celsa also added that “We just cannot allow getting these monuments being converted down into debris/rubble with all changes which are done in the name of conservation” and urged the people towards the need to preserve the old heritage monuments.

Also present for the occasion were a historian–Vasco Pinho, activist– Patricia Pinto, secretary of GHAG –Cezar Pinto and historian and member of GHAG– Prajal Sakhardande.

 

 

Pic Credit- Hemant Parab