New Delhi, 29 October 2018: The UNESCO New Delhi Office launched today, in collaboration with Mapin Publishing and Tata Trusts, the first ever illustrated book series for children dedicated to the World Heritage Sites of India. The first 5 volumes published focuson Qutb Minar, Sanchi, Mahabalipuram, the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
Entitled Roshni, the series aims to focus interest in India’s cultural heritage sites through the eyes of children. These are not short versions of adult books. The authors and artists based their stories on actual questions asked by children who accompanied them on visits to the sites. The series, initially published in English, will be available very shortly into Indian languages – the Tamil, Urdu and Hindi sets are ready, as well as a Marathi version for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
During the course of the event, one of the authors of the book highlighted the salient features of Sanchiand its history. This was followed by a presentation by one of the artists, who took the children through his journey of creating illustrations for the text. The children in the audience were encouraged to draw along with him. This was followed by a journey through the Qutb book, where the children who had gone on the trip read out excerpts from the book.
Mr Eric Falt, UNESCO New Delhi Director, in his welcoming address referred to these books as a ground breaking series and said “Through them we hope to reach to young people throughout India and beyond, and get them involved in heritage protection which is so essential for sustainable development and the future of the country’s cultural health.”
