Ignite Mudra partners with MICA; Launches 'Ahmedabad First'

Ahmedabad celebrated its 600th birthday on 18 April 2011which is World Heritage Day in a unique way. It applied for the status of World Heritage City from UNESCO under the aegis of "Ahmedabad First', an initiative that seeks to catalyze fulfillment of the criteria for accomplishing the World Heritage City status. Ahmedabad-born institutions, Ignite Mudra & MICA are spearheading and unifying the efforts of several key institutions, industrialists, eminent personalities and social activists under one Citizen's Charter to acceleratethe accomplishment of this landmark. The voluntary effort is of utmost importance because demonstrable citizen's involvement is a key requirement from UNESCO to grant the status of WHC.

Already one of the top seven cities of India, it has a "living heritage' ' the "pols' and their unique urban community management that came to being long before municipalities came into existence ' and continue to exist harmoniously with the modern city.Accomplishment of this milestone will make Ahmedabad the first ever Indian World Heritage City, as against 200 in Europe, three in China, even one each in Sri Lanka and Nepal.

In a key note address to flag the event off, Madhukar Kamath, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mudra Group, emphasized the need to preserve and protect the unique heritage of Ahmedabad which can boast of being the first city to have an underground sewage system, the birthplace for the first large-scale non-violence freedom movement in India, the first city to have a lady governor, etc. He sought the support of everyone in achieving this status for the city by 2012.

1. Subrata Bhowmick, one of India's leading graphic designers and a name to reckon with in the field of design

3. Abhay Mangaldas, renowned industrialist and heritage conservationist

5. Prof. Utpal Sharma, Dean, School of Planning, CEPT

7. Mr. P K Ghosh, IAS (Retd.), ex Municipal Commissioner& Chairman, Heritage Conservation Committee

Ahmedabad First will soon have an online presence through its website, www.ahmedabadfirst.com, and would seek contributions in terms of content, pictures and information to create a single point where all World Heritage City efforts can be showcased.

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