Dozens of children from several schools participated in the painting and drawing competitions carried out by the Mysuru Rail Museum to commemorate World Heritage Day, here on Friday.
Mudit Mittal, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Mysuru Division, inaugurated the event and stressed the critical role of young people in the preservation of cultural legacies.
He said that the youngest generation must defend the cause of heritage conservation, ensuring that these treasures resist disasters and conflicts for future generations.
Referring to the paintings, posters and drawings provided by the children who were in the competition, Mr. Mittal praised the creativity of the students and urged them to become ambassadors of patrimonial consciousness.
The competition turned on discussions on a topic such as the adaptive reuse of historical sites, disaster preparation for heritage structures and the role of technology in conservation.
Participants showed innovative ideas through vibrant works of art, reflecting their understanding of resistant preservation practices. There was also a live demonstration of a artisanal steam engine model shown in the Maharani Salon.
The senior rail officials, including the additional rail managers of the division and the experts in heritage conservation, were present. They also committed to the students.
The authorities said that the Mysuru Rail Museum, recognized for its preservation of old locomotives and historical exhibitions, has reaffirmed its commitment to educate the public about the railway heritage through interactive initiatives.
“Today’s event underlined the dedication of the southern railroad of South Western to the participation of the Fostiling Community to safeguard cultural and historical assets,” the authorities added.
“World Heritage Day is a reminder that resilience is found not only in structures, but in the collective efforts of people,” Mittal said.
In view of World Heritage Day celebrations, entrance for visitors to the MySuru Rail Museum became free on Friday. Similarly, the Heritage Gallery in PF1 or the MySuru train station, which shows rare photographs of the Indian railways along with a miniature train, remained open to the public on Friday. It will also be open on Saturday, authorities added.
Published – April 18, 2025 06:28 PM IST
