January 20, 2024: IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo, and InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, organised their fifth Heritage Walk, which took place at the Qutb Shahi Complex in Hyderabad, Telangana, on January 20, 2024. This walk is part of the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign, which seeks to promote awareness regarding the significance of heritage and culture in India. The campaign has served as a platform for discussions and collaborations focused on preserving both the tangible and intangible heritage of the country. ‘My City My Heritage’ started in November 2022, and similar walks have since been conducted in Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, Shillong, and Nashik.
The Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex (built in the 16th and 17th centuries) was selected as the next destination for the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign due to its rich historical significance. The Heritage Walk, led by Mr. Ratish Nanda, CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, included visits to the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, Mausoleum of Muhammad Qutb Shah and concluded with an exploration of the Statue of Equality, of the 11th-century Indian philosopher Ramanuja. The event drew enthusiastic participation from the local community, government officials, and senior leadership of IndiGo and InterGlobe Foundation.
Speaking at the occasion, Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said, “Hyderabad is a major tourist hub known for its timeless architecture, technological advancements, and rich cultural and scenic beauty. IndiGo proudly connects Hyderabad to 54 domestic and 13 international destinations, across the extensive 6E network. Through our fifth Heritage Walk, we are delighted to contribute to the exploration and preservation of these medieval landmarks, which have stood as a testimony to the Qutb Shahi dynasty and the rich history of the town. As India’s preferred carrier, we aim to strengthen tourism, travel, and highlight the rich history and culture of Hyderabad. We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to being responsible and contributing back to the community we serve while enhancing the accessibility to these architectural marvels through our unparalleled network, connecting people and places.”
Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, “We are delighted to conclude yet another successful Heritage Walk, this time in the vibrant city of Hyderabad. The Qutb Shahi Complex offered an enlightening experience, set against the captivating historical backdrop of Hyderabad's rich cultural and natural beauty. As we walked through the Qutb Shahi tombs and the Statue of Equality, we were constantly reminded of the need to preserve and celebrate our cultural heritage. The 'My City My Heritage' campaign echoes InterGlobe Foundation’s commitment to fostering a deep admiration for India's cultural and
historical treasures. These walks align with our objective of preserving and promoting India’s built and natural heritage”.
The Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex comprises of mausoleums, mosques, five stepwells, a hammam (mortuary bath), pavilions, etc. built during the reign of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. IndiGoReach supported the conservation of the Mausoleum of Muhammad Qutb Shah at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park. While the program under IndiGoReach has now concluded, InterGlobe Foundation will undertake the next phase of the conservation work in collaboration with Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). The mausoleum is dedicated to Muhammad Qutb Shah, who pioneered the city of Hyderabad. He was the fifth Sultan of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty and was considered an able administrator. The mausoleum is one of the four most dominant structures in the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park.
The ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign draws on material previously developed by InterGlobe Foundation in partnership with Sahapedia as part of a project to explore, document, and spread the diverse heritage and cultural aspects of ten Indian cities: Prayagraj, Indore, Nashik, Bhubaneshwar, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Goa, Kolkata, and Shillong. More than two hundred cultural points of interest were identified as part of this project, and the material developed- including cultural mapping articles, self-guided trails, listicles, museum mapping, cultural calendars, photography, etc.- has been captured in the form of city booklets, which are now available to the public in both print and digital formats.
Both InterGlobe Foundation and IndiGoReach have individually taken forward various projects for promoting heritage conservation and preservation in India. Some of the major projects of InterGlobe Foundation include the conservation and cultural revival of Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan’s mausoleum in Delhi, the cultural mapping and documentation of ten cities, and the restoration of the stepwell Indra Kund in Delwara, Rajasthan.
InterGlobe Foundation has also launched the InterGlobe HERITAGE Fellowships to engage a cross-section of the public in documenting and researching the cultural heritage of India and help increase its awareness. Apart from the conservation of Muhammed Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad, IndiGoReach also undertook projects for the restoration of the interiors of the Lal Bagh Palace in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
