CONVENTIONS

Ashwini’s commitment to advocating heritage to as many people as possible has led her to develop expertise in strategising, curating and presenting conventions related to heritage, culture and history. She is committed to adhering to the mandates, which prioritize actively engaging the community, particularly the youth, in heritage conservation initiatives and programs. Ashwini is also deeply passionate about promoting heritage as a cultural asset that contributes to socio-economic development, safeguarding unique cultural identities and traditions amidst today’s global monocultural and digital-oriented landscape. Furthermore, she strongly advocates for emphasizing best practices in adaptive reuse and repurposing of cultural assets. With two decades of experience in the arts, heritage and culture space, Ashwini brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to organizing and conceptualizing conferences and conventions. She strongly believes that their extensive experience positions them uniquely to navigate the intricacies of such events, ensuring seamless execution and meaningful engagement with the community. This opportunity not only allows Ashwini to leverage their expertise but also serves as a platform to foster connections, exchange ideas, and catalyze positive change within the arts community.

INTACH-National Convenor’s Convention, The Ashok, New Delhi

The National Convenors’ Convention 2022, organised by INTACH and held at The Ashok, New Delhi, in September 2022, brought together Convenors from all over India. Ashwini played a pivotal role as a Core Member of the Organising Committee and Secretariat for this significant heritage-based event whose leadership included Chairman INTACH and Member Secretary INTACH. The Convention provided a platform for the INTACH community to convene, exchange knowledge, and explore innovative conservation approaches. INTACH showcased its leadership in domain knowledge, research, and best practices, leveraging the passion and dedication of its Members. Various facets of India’s heritage were deliberated upon, with insights drawn from past and present endeavours. Discussions centred on creative methods to engage younger generations with the nation’s history, culture, and heritage, as well as ways to involve communities in INTACH’s endeavours. The event also featured enlightening talks by guest speakers who are specialists in their respective heritage and cultural domains, enriching the discourse further.

The panelists and keynote speakers represented specialists and domain experts from across India and included Saryu Doshi, scholar and art historian, Ritu Sethi of Craft Revival Trust, Anirudh Kanisetti, Author Lords of the Deccan, Sanjeev Sanyal Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India and Author, K K Muhammed Archaeologist and Former Regional Director Archaeological Survey of India amongst other illustrious attendees. Two hundred Convenors from all over India including Shama Pawar INTACH Convenor of Anegundi-Hampi and G M Kapur INTACH Convenor West Bengal amongst others were present.

Virasat Souvenir Issue

Ashwini was one of the three esteemed members of the Editorial Team who meticulously conceptualized, authored, meticulously edited, and published the Convention Souvenir issue, effectively highlighting the significance and essence of the National Convenors’ Convention. Their dedication, expertise, and collaborative efforts ensured the publication’s success in encapsulating the essence of the convention and disseminating invaluable insights to the audience.