Page 59 - MONSOON EDITION

TEACHERS’ CORNER

VIJAY MAKWANA
ENGLISH - TGT

People without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture are like trees without roots.

Marcus Garvey

Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion,
cuisine, social habits, music and arts, beliefs, folklores etc. Culture is inherited from past generations,

maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Our cultural heritage includes
culture such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art and artefacts. It also includes culture
traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as

folklores, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature
and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts, culture and natural heritage (including
culturally significant landscapes, and biodiversity). These things form part of a heritage and this heritage
requires active efforts on our part in order to safeguard it for our future generations.

They make us feel as though we belong to something, be it a country, a tradition, a society or a way of life.
Government bodies such Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) safeguards monuments and buildings of
historical importance across India. The Ministry of Forests, Environment and Climate Change work towards

conservation of marine national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, protection of forests.

Culture and its heritage reflect and shape values, beliefs, and aspirations, thereby defining a people's national
identity.

How can we save our culture and heritage for future generations?

I feel the best way to preserve our cultural heritage, whatever it may be, is to share it with others. The

importance of preserving heritage, tradition and race, cultural heritage and natural history of a nation has a very
high value. It is an identity that can be introduced to the world.

Preserving culture and heritage requires different measures to the ones used for conserving monuments and
sites – it needs to be kept alive and passed onto our children and grandchildren. It must be regularly practised

and learned within communities and between generations. That is why I feel engaging young people is
essential to its survival.
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