It’s time to carry home history — in a trendy avatar. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will be setting up over 100 kiosks in several parts of the city which besides acting as information centres for visitors during the Commonwealth Games in October, would also sell interesting products that celebrate Delhi’s grand past. These include chocolate replicas of Qutub Minar, earrings shaped like the Walled City’s famous jalebis, coffee mugs with Jantar Mantar, T-shirts embossed with the slogan Saadi Dilli, and more. And youngsters are the core think-tank ideating these products and coining catchy slogans.
Dr Amiya Chandra, officer on special duty, MCD, says that they are planning interesting products that could attract visitors as well as the local crowd. “The kiosks will also have stone replicas of various historical monuments for sale,” reveals Dr Chandra.
Many youngsters in the capital, who have not visited the Red Fort or Qutub Minar ever, look at this as a good opportunity to promote Indian culture and architecture. Abhishek Srivastava, a media professional, who came to Delhi from Kolkata six years ago, thinks this could help raise curiosity about Indian architecture, culture and tradition.
“I never made an effort to go and see historical monuments and I’m sure there are many like me who have not yet discovered these places. This initiative, besides helping tourism would also spread awareness about our own heritage among youngsters,” he says, adding that even new hangout places should be promoted by authorities as they would attract young participants more.
Dr Chandra informs that they are taking as many inputs from youngsters as they can. “We understand that the games would have a lot of participation of youngsters and thus we have taken inputs from them about the products. Interestingly, the idea of slogans like Saddi Dilli and Dilli Dil Se on tees came from those inputs,” he says.
He adds that they have given the charge of setting up these kiosks which will be silver in colour to private firms who are also doing a market assessment.
However, there are a few, who are not sure if the products would click. “Since the concept is new to the Indian market, I hope they don’t charge more. It depends on whether their aim is to attract tourists or lure youngsters,” says Ashu Kansal, a software professional. Ngayawon Impuri, working with an environmental firm doubts if the government is equally enthusiastic and careful about maintaining historical sites.
“Besides these products, they should also provide free tourist maps at kiosks,” she says.
Dr Chandra says that the MCD is aware of the price concern and is even looking at other methods to promote Indian heritage. “Once these products would be out in the market, the imitations will also start rolling out. So, we are very careful about the price. The products would be available at very reasonable rates,” he sums up.