A 10-day Skill Up-gradation and Designing Workshop for Traditional Potters, organized by the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), was concluded here today. The workshop was organized in collaboration with Blue River Ceramics, was focused on enhancing traditional pottery techniques while introducing contemporary design sensibilities. Participants received specialized training in terracotta pottery, surface treatments, glazing techniques, and firing processes. The beautifully crafted terracotta and glazed works produced by the artisans were highly appreciated by all attendees.

Jyoti Gupta, Chief Resource Person and In-charge of Blue River Ceramic Studio, welcomed the guests and provided a detailed overview of the technical processes and production milestones achieved during the workshop. The concluding ceremony was graced by Vandana Bindu Manchanda, Head of the Heritage Crafts and Community Division (HCCD) at INTACH Delhi, who attended as the chief guest.

She praised the superior quality of craftsmanship and the dedication of the artisans and emphasized the critical need for preserving and modernizing traditional crafts through such dedicated initiatives. S M Sahni, Convener of the INTACH Jammu Chapter, presented the vote of thanks. He highlighted INTACH’s ongoing mission to safeguard tangible and intangible cultural heritage and empower potters through design innovation. Adding to the accolades, Vandana Kumari, Sarpanch of Village Ladore, expressed her deep satisfaction and pride regarding the exceptional work created by the female participants from her village. The event was attended by INTACH members, workshop participants and prominent citizens and intellectuals of Jammu.

https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/workshop-organized-by-intach-concludes/, March 2, 2026

Riarki Public School, Tughalwala, hosted a moving and historically significant commemoration to honour the 282 martyrs of the First War of Independence in 1857, who were brutally massacred at Ajnala. Organised by INTACH Punjab in collaboration with Riarki Institutions, the event was held at the school’s MS Randhawa Hall and marked the 12th anniversary of the historic 2014 excavation that unearthed the skeletal remains from the infamous well once derogatorily referred to by the British as “Kalianwala Khooh". The programme featured a special lecture detailing the events of the 1857 uprising and the rediscovery of the well, along with a curated historical exhibition showcasing rare photographs, archival documents and visuals from both the colonial period and the 2014 excavation. The exhibition offered students and attendees a powerful visual narrative of sacrifice, suppression and eventual historical restoration.

The event began with a soulful Shabad Kirtan and an Ardas performed by students, offering floral tributes to the martyrs in a sacred and patriotic atmosphere. Students of Riarki Public School also delivered impressive and thought-provoking lectures on the historical significance of the Ajnala massacre. Adding emotional depth to the occasion, the students presented a powerful play dedicated to the martyrs, dramatically portraying the events of 1857 and the suffering endured by the soldiers. The performance left the audience visibly moved and reinforced the educational impact of the commemoration.

Amritsar-based historian Surinder Kochhar, who was behind the identification and excavation of the site, was the chief guest and keynote speaker. He shared his journey—from discovering references in colonial records such as Frederick Henry Cooper’s “The Crisis in the Punjab", to persuading the local gurdwara committee, overcoming scepticism, and ultimately leading to the excavation on February 28, 2014. The excavation revealed hundreds of skeletons, skulls, jawbones, teeth and related artefacts, confirming the massacre of sepoys—primarily from the 26th Bengal Native Infantry—who had mutinied and fled from Lahore’s Mian Mir Cantonment. Anita Sareen, author of the book, “Revolt of Ajnala 1857 – The Massacre”, also addressed the audience. Principal Swarn Singh Virk, founder of Riarki College, addressed the students and emphasised that such historic engagements inspire young minds to value and preserve their heritage, nurturing not only historical awareness but also compassionate, value-driven citizenship.

Convener of INTACH Punjab, Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (retd), VSM, highlighted Punjab’s courageous yet often under-recognised role in the 1857 struggle. He stressed that the nation can never forget the sacrifices of these unsung heroes. Convener, INTACH Amritsar, Gagandeep Singh Virk, made a strong appeal to the authorities to consider renaming Cooper Road in Amritsar—currently named after the Deputy Commissioner associated with the executions—in honour of the martyrs.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/ajnala-massacre-martyrs-of-1857-recalled-for-valour-sacrifice-at-intach-event/, March 3, 2026

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has identified on a 1932 map a nearly 2-mile-long waterbody marked to the north of Bhalswa Lake in northwest Delhi. The area falls around the present-day Kadipur, but current satellite imagery shows much of it has since been built over. In a letter to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Delhi Development Authority, the non-profit organisation, which recently held an exhibition on old maps of the city, notes that a depression spanning nearly 10 acres is still visible at the site, suggesting there is potential to revive the lake.

Public land is available to the north-west of this depression, the letter written by Manu Bhatnagar, principal director of INTACH, points out. He suggests that the lake can be "recovered" and the public land converted into a small biodiversity reserve or urban forest, benefiting the local population and providing space for compensatory plantation of about 8,000 trees. "The area has a natural contour that allows water to collect. However, concerted efforts are required by the authorities for rejuvenation and preservation of the lake, which historical maps show used to be massive," according to the letter.

No response from DDA has been received on this proposal. A few years ago, INTACH had identified another waterbody in Tikri Khurd in northwest Delhi's Narela by studying old maps of the city. "After we moved National Green Tribunal, it directed the authorities to revive that waterbody," Bhatnagar said. TOI had reported on the Feb 29-March 1 exhibition, ‘The Romance of Old Maps: Tracing Lost Landscapes'. Featuring maps dating from 1807 to 1984, which were pulled out from INTACH archives, the event traced the cartographic evolution of the city's natural systems, waterbodies and routes that were later altered or erased. These maps captured the steady replacement of forests and wetlands with concrete structures in Delhi.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/a-1932-map-and-new-life-for-a-lost-lake/articleshowprint/128987679.cms, March 4, 2026

Intach officials said they identified traces of a massive water body north of Bhalswa Lake, much of which has been built over, though parts may still be revived. A nearly two-mile-long lake that once stretched across north Delhi has resurfaced; not on the ground, but on old maps. While examining 19th and early 20th century maps for a recent exhibition of old charts and atlases, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) identified traces of a massive water body north of Bhalswa Lake, much of which has been built over, though parts may still be revived, Intach officials said.

A comparison of a 1932 map of Delhi, which shows the water body spread across Qadipur and Nagli-Puna (present-day Kadipur), with current satellite imagery indicates that most of the area has now been built upon. In a letter to the Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) vice-chairperson, Intach said satellite imagery still shows a roughly 10-acre depression at the site, offering the possibility of revival. “An examination of old maps (from 1932) has led to the discovery of traces of an old two-mile-long lake…” the letter from Manu Bhatnagar, principal director of Intach, written prior to the exhibition launch on February 27, said. “Further, there is public land available northwest of this depression, with the possibility of creating a biodiversity park spread over as much as 24 hectares, if the entire land is redeveloped using native trees,” the letter stated. Bhatnagar said Google satellite imagery indicates that most of the lake has been built over, but a roughly 10-acre natural depression remains. He has marked this low-lying stretch and adjoining public land parcels to its north and northwest as areas that could be used to revive the water body.

“It is suggested that the water body can be recovered and the public lands converted into a small biodiversity reserve or urban forest, benefitting the local population and providing space for compensatory plantation of about 8,000 trees,” the letter said. Bhatnagar said the area’s natural contour would allow water to accumulate, though coordinated action by authorities would be required to restore it. “The area, along with the water body, can still be preserved. In its heyday, the lake, as shown on maps, was massive,” he told HT. The LG House and DDA did not comment on the letter or the findings. When HT visited Kadipur village on Tuesday, it found a steep depression at the edge of the village where unauthorised colonies have come up. The difference in ground level means the street level in Kushak Colony is about 10 to 12 feet higher than the surface. An approximately 300,000-square-metre tract lies at the end of Kushak Number 2 habitation, where water from neighbouring areas collects. Qasim Ali, a resident who lives on the periphery, said he moved to the area four years ago. “This part of the colony came up around 15-16 years ago. The edge of this ground always remains filled with water. During the monsoon, the water rises several feet and birds nest in the vegetation,” he said. Rajendra Sahu, another resident, said that in the absence of proper drainage, wastewater from nearby drains also flows into the ditch. “All the foundations are filled with water. Mosquitoes breed in the stagnant pool,” he added. During the spot check, HT found that the ground floors of several houses are below street level, and vacant plots show a difference in elevation of nearly 10 feet. The depression is bordered by agricultural fields on two sides and unauthorised colonies on the remaining sides. A nearby vacant plot spread over 42,000 square metres is filled with water hyacinth, with several migratory birds spotted in the area.

A security guard at the site, who requested anonymity, said the land belongs to the education department. “All drainage and rainwater from neighbouring areas accumulates in the plot. It remains full of water throughout the year,” he said. The lake was discovered while Intach was reviewing maps for an exhibition titled The Romance of Old Maps: Tracing Lost Landscapes. The oldest map displayed was a “Sketch of Environs” of Delhi dating back to 1807, showing natural stormwater channels and prominent city gates of the time. The exhibition also featured a map of Shahjahanabad from 1850, when Chandni Chowk had its iconic central square and even water flowing through it. In total, more than 40 historical maps were showcased.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/old-maps-reveal-lost-north-delhi-lake-public-land-may-aid-restoration-says-intach-101772603832324.html, March 6, 2026