Smithsonian Scholar Navina Jafa shares stories from Raikas of Rajasthan to Badayun in Uttar Pradesh
2 min read
The COVID Era has provided a distinct space for all stakeholders engaged in tourism to re-position the heritage tour experiences keeping in mind local communities, local geographies, cultures and most importantly impact of climate change that will also change human lifestyles.
The Raikas, the traditional Camel Breeders of Godwar region in Rajasthan exist in a unique geographical are where the Aravalli Hills meet the Thar Desert As part of the #savecamel program the workshop intends to empower and skill the local Raika community to curate and present their distinct heritage as part of regional camel tourism.
As a pilot program Navina Jafa has conceptualised
these experiences which will be part of the travel experiences.
Navina Jafa also talks about potential of
Badayun where her father Virendra Singh Jafa had his hometown. She adds it is here that we wandered in the narrow lanes to discover the Heritage of Shakeel Badayuni.
A lane named after the man who wrote songs for films Mughal-e-Azam, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Baiju Bawra. we all hear and sing his songs ‘Pyar kiya to Darna Kya, ‘ ‘ Chaudvin Ka Chand Ho’ ‘ Madhuban mein Radhika Navhe’ ‘ O Duniya ke Rakhwale ‘.
His Heritage’ in Badayun is in shambles. Navina Jafa says, would love to see his digital heritage recreated in his house and street as an experience of Bollywood Heritage Tourism.
Navina Jafa, has been a fulbright Scholar from the Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC, in several talks, articles and projects on cross-cultural expressions, believes that projects on public diplomacy need to go beyond one-time events. In its most expansive frame, culture has and continues to play a significant role in geopolitical dynamics connecting countries and building trust, and many innovations can be created to assert sustainability in international relations through culture.
