Proofreading- Basics to Artificial Intelligence Integration - Presentation:Sl...
Shri Krsna
1. People from all over the world
come to India for spiritual or
cultural tourism
Varanasi, Vaishno Devi, Haridwar, Tirupati Balaji,
Jagannath Puri, Rameshwaram, Golden Temple,
Bodh Gaya, St. Xavier’s Church of Old Goa, Ajmer
Sharif, Nizamuddin, Braj-Vrindavan are some
sought after destinations
While most destinations are shrine-centric,
Braj Bhoomi spreads across 5000 sq km and
has a lot to offer
2. 50 million tourists come to Braj annually
Taj Mahal receives merely 6 million tourists a year
3. Braj is the land of Lord Krishna,
propounder of world famous Srimad
Bhagvad Gita
4. Despite this Braj is grossly
neglected …
… it needs facelift to become
a world class
tourism destination
5. Historic efforts to restore
Heritage sites in Braj
by
The Braj Foundation
New Delhi Vrindavan Lucknow Jaipur
www.brajfoundation.org
8. “It is a tribute to what can
be done with people’s
participation. An excellent
initiative, it would be our
effort to support it in all
possible manner.”
Chief Secretary
Govt. of UP
“I had the opportunity to
see the restoration of a
heritage site (Brahm Kund)
done by The Braj
Foundation. It is a
commendable work done
with great sensitivity”
Secretary
Planning Commission of India
9. Where is Braj?
Located some 115 Kms from
Delhi on the Delhi – Agra
national highway
The entire region lies well within
the Golden triangle of Delhi –
Jaipur – Agra
Spans across the Mathura district
of UP, Bharatpur district of
Rajasthan and Palwal district of
Haryana Raj.
Haryana UP
10. How big is Braj ?
Covers an expanse of 5000 sq. Km centering
around Vrindavan
Comprises of over 1300 villages
Over 1000 traditional water bodies (Kunds)
137 sacred forests (Van)
18000 acres of Hilly terrain with numerous
sacred heritage sites
11. Major tourism centers of Braj
Mathura
Vrindavan
Gokul-Mahavan
Baldeo
Barsana
Nandgaon
Goverdhan
Deeg
Kaman
Hodal etc.
14. Land of vibrant cultural traditions
and festivals
The villages of Braj are
replete with
innumerable festivals
showcasing the rich
culture and tradition of
the region round the
year.
These festivals should
be made the basis of all
tourism activities in the
region.
The Braj Foundation
has an extensive
documentation of these
festivals literary, video
recordings and other
formats.
HOLI
NAUKA UTSAV
RADHA ASHTAMI CHHAPAN BHOG
16. Braj had 137 transcendental Groves
Darshan Van, Badhauta Gahvarvan, Barsana
Belvan
Bhandir Van
17. All these groves are associated
with the numerous leelas of
Sri Radha & Krishna
18. Brahma Hill, Barsana
The Majestic Landscapes of Braj
Heritage Sites spread all over the
hills of Braj
Ashtasakhi Hills, Barsana
19. The splashing beauty of Braj
Radha Baoli, Vrindavan
Patit Pavan Kund, Gokul
Chandra Sarovar,
Goverdhan
Kishori Kund, Bijwari
20. Braj – the Cultural Capital of India
All forms of
Indian music,
literature,
arts - dances,
architecture,
cuisine, crafts,
theatre and other
aspects of culture
have distinct
influence of Braj.
Mohini AttamOdissi
Manipuri Kathakali
KuchipudiKathak
Kalamkari
Tanjore
Pata Chitra Miniature
21. All the sacred hills mentioned in
Indian scriptures are situated in Braj
Gangotri, BadrinathGandhmadan Parvat
Nar ParvatGoverdhan Hill
22. All these hills are connected to one
or the other pastimes of Krishna
28. Hills were being blasted out
The Times of India, New Delhi
Friday, February 4, 2005
Rajsthan Patrika
Alawar 2 April, 2005
29. Plight of Ancient Kunds
Out of over 1000 only 20% have survived
Lalita Madhav Kund, LodholiNayan Sarovar, Kaaman
Subhadra Kund
30. Brahma Kund, Vrindavan had been encroached
Sordid condition of Rudra Kund Dilapidated Jalmahal, Barsana
31. Poor state of Braj groves
Only 3 of 137 have survived
32. Gutter gushing out in Yamuna
Ancient Ghats encroached upon
Sewage all around banks
Drains flowing out in the river
The sordid state of Yamuna
10 million times more polluted than it’s tolerance limit
33. Devotees spend crores of rupees in
temples.
But they ignore the fact that the
transcendental pastimes of the
Divine Couple Sri Radha Krishna
were not performed in the
famous temples, posh ashrams or
guest houses of
Braj-Vrindavan
34. They were rather performed
in the Forests
on the banks of river Yamuna
at the numerous Kunds
on the holy hills
35. Hills & Groves are the
real temples of Braj
na: purao janapda na ga`amaa gaRhavayama
ina%yaM vanaaOksatat vanaSaOlainavaaisana:
EaImadBaagavat 10.24.24
“The cities, the cultured
lands nor the villages their
houses are ours, we are the
forest people dear father,
we always live in the forests
and on the hills”.
Krishna to Nand Baba
36. Krishna - the primordial
environmentalist
Eating Mud - Earth Punishing Kaliya - Water Drinking forest fire - Fire
Killing Trinavarta - Air Killing Vyomasur - Space
37. Devotees of Krishna should follow
His footsteps and restore the
environment and cultural heritage
of Braj.
39. Restoration of over 1000 Kunds,
Revival of 137 forests,
Protection and forestation of hills,
Dredging & restoration of river Yamuna,
Conservation of heritage buildings
Promotion of organic farming
Development of tourist infrastructure
An all round development of
Braj comprising of :
40. The Braj Foundation
Heritage, Community, Environment
Vision: To restore the
pristine glory and
grandeur of Braj as a
model rural society
41. Founders
Mr. Alfred Ford
Director
Ford Motor Foundation
Detroit, USA
Mr. Suresh Neotia
Chairman,
Gujarat Ambuja Cement,
Kolkata
Mr. Hrishikesh Mafatlal
CEO,
Arvind Mafatlal Group,
Mumbai
Mr. Kamal Morarka
Chairman, Gannon Dunkerley & Co.
Mumbai &
Ex Minister PM Office
Mr. Vineet Narain
Sr. Journalist
www.vineetnarain.net
42. Chairman, Vineet Narain, (www.vineetnarain.net), New Delhi – Vrindavan
Exe. Dir. (Tourism), Sanat Kaul, IAS (1971), Ex-CMD, Delhi Tourism Dev. Corp.
Exe. Dir. (HRD), Abhijit Gupta, B.Tech (IIT), M.Tech (USA), MD, Case New Holland
Const. Equip. India Ltd. Indore
Exe. Dir. (Corp. Affairs), Rajat Jain, IIT (D), IIM (A), MD Xerox India Ltd.
Exe. Dir. (Legal & Admin. Affairs), Rajneesh Kapur, New Delhi
Project Director, R K Gautam, B Tech. Civil, Vrindavan
Project Manager, Bipin Vyas & Bhupender Mathuria, Vrindavan
Project Coordinator, Gaurav K Gola, B. Sc. (Hons), MBA, New Delhi – Vrindavan
Architect, Shalini Dasgupta, M. Arch. (SPA), New Delhi
Landscape Designer, Shyam Singh, M. Arch. (SPA), Horticulturist
Executive Team
45. Accomplishments so far….
1.Restoration of 46 Ancient Water Bodies in
different stages
2.Revival of 2 Groves, work on 4 more in progress
3.Protection of Hills & Regeneration of Green Cover
4.Master planning of Braj for UP Govt.
5.Restoration of 3 heritage buildings
6.Audio-visual documentation of Braj culture
46. 7. Drinking water supply projects in some villages
8. Exhaustive scientific survey of Braj region
9. World-wide awareness campaign about the
plight of Braj
10.Nine grand Braj Mahotsavs in different parts of
the country
11.Special legislations for Braj protection
48. The Braj Foundation wins 2nd time the
best NGO award supported by UNESCO
for revival of water bodies
Distinguished Water NGO 2012-13Best Water NGO 2012-13
Best Water NGO 2010-11
49. The Braj Foundation’s
Kund Restoration Process
Mobilizing the local community
Necessary permission & go-ahead from District
Administration
Survey of the Kund site
Preparation of detailed restoration plan
Pumping out the dirty water, if any
De-silting of the Kund
Repair/ construction of side walls, ghats
Plantation
Beautification
62. Vrishbhanu Kund, Barsana
Before
Financial support by
Shri Rajeev Shukla, Shri B P Singhal, Shri Balbir Punj (Members of Rajya Sabha)
& Mafatlal family,
After
Total Expenditure incurred: Rs 35 lakhs
77. Krishna Sarovar, Baad (NH-2)
Lord Krishna bathed here with Balarama after killing Dhenukasur
and took rest under the banyan tree
This Kund was turned into a field
150. Ram Taal, Sunrakh (Vrindavan)
Before De- silting During De- silting
151. 2700 years old Kund emerges after digging
Shri Kamal Morarka, the donor
inspecting de-silting work
Ancient wall excavated Mediapersons visiting the site
152.
153. Ram Taal, Vrindavan After De-silting
Rain water being filled
from catchment area
155. Historic surveys done of
Braj region
Survey of over 2000 acres of
heritage sites completed, and
detailed technical survey of
over 400 ancient water bodies
completed, more ongoing.
157. Survey of Groves
The survey of the 48
prominent groves of Braj
has been completed by
The Braj Foundation
The survey of remaining
89 groves of Braj is
being done by the
foundation.
A task no official agency
has ever undertaken
185. Heritage Buildings of Braj
Innumerable heritage buildings of Braj are in a
dilapidated condition and on the brink of
destruction due to decades of neglect and
blatant land grabbing. The Braj Foundation is
working towards systematically surveying,
documenting and restoring these structures.
186. Jal Mahal at Vrishbhanu Kund,
Barsana Restoration
187. Successfully restored Koile Ghat of
Yamuna from where Vasudev ji on the
night of Janmashtami took infant
Krishna across Yamuna to Gokul.
Yamuna started rising to touch the feet
of Krishna. Vasudev ji screamed for
help “Koi Le – Koi Le”. Someone hold
my child. Hence the ghat is known as
Koile Ghat. It was neglected for
centuries.
Koile Ghat of Yamuna
188.
189. Restoration of Koile Ghat, Mathura
Inaugurated on 29th Sept 2009
by Mrs. Ranjana Kumar,
Member, CVC of India
190.
191. The Braj Foundation’ crusade against
illegal mining in the heritage hills of Braj
The Braj Foundation got done the
satellite study of the entire Braj region
by experts of IIT Roorkee & NRSA
Hyderabad.
194. After a prolonged
struggle of five years,
Braj Foundation finally
succeeded in getting the
72 sq Km area of Braj
hills declared as protected
forest by the Rajasthan
Govt.
Hills of Braj got declared as
reserve forests
197. The Costs Involved
The estimated cost for
the development of 1
acre of hilly terrain
into a green pasture
comes out to be
around Rs 1,00,000
198. Economics of Hill Restoration
The foundation’s study reveals
that the hills of Braj have a
sloping area of around 72 sq.
kms which translates into 17,800
acres.
At an average cost of Rs 1Lakh
per acre these hills can be
developed into pasture lands
With an investment of Rs 180
crores, out of which the majority
of the amount would be spent on
human labor, the fodder worth 19
crore will be produced annually
199. Braj Foundation in association with Illinois
University (USA) did an exhaustive study of
Goverdhan hill and is now pursuing the
UNESCO to declare it as World Heritage
Site.
Goverdhan development
200. Traffic Management
Vision:
To develop a corridor by optimising connectivity
(pedestrian and vehicular) capitalising on
transportation/mobility options and rationalising
parking with the high load of pilgrims on festival
days.
Problem identification:
• Vehicular road over giriraj ji not justified
• heavy congestion of traffic
• Same road for parikrama and vehicular movement
leading to chaos and accidents.
• Lack of designated parking facilities
• Air pollution
• noise and environmental hazards.
Planning strategies:
• Designated parking facilities on major roads leading
to giriraj ji.
• Develop a peripheral rail network around giriraj ji.
• Reducing vehicular load on parikrama path.
• Realignment of road network so that there is no
vehicular movement over giriraj ji.
• Defined parikrama path with civic facilities.
207. Tackling the drinking water crisis in Braj
85 % of the ground water in Braj is saline. Unfortunately
the salinity starts from the upper layer of water table
TBF’s Drinking water supply Project
Chiksauli & Manpur villages (Barsana)
Financial support by IOCL & OIDB
210. A presentation to the Chief Election Commissioner of India,
Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Secretary General Rajya Sabha & other senior
officials at New Delhi
Organizing cultural evenings showcasing
the Braj Culture
211. Successfully organized
Nine high profile Braj
Mahotsavs across India
for building awareness
and promoting culture
of Braj.
Braj Maahotsav
212. Braj Maahotsav
H.E. Mr. Narsimhan,
Governor of Andhra Pradesh
inaugurating
Braj Mahotsav, Hyderabad -2011
Folk Artists from Braj performing
Raas Lila in Braj Mahotsav
Hyderabad -2011
213. Braj Maahotsav
Folk Artists from Braj
performing Flower Holi Lila
Braj Mahotsav (Hyderabad -2011)
Kawwals performing Krishna Bhajans
composed by Muslim devotees,
Braj Mahotsav (Hyderabad -2011)
219. Foreign diplomats watching PPT in TBF’s office
Mr. S. Shimamori, Cultural Attaché of
Japan
Dr. Benedictt Alliott, Cultural Attaché of
France
Ms. Vyantimala, Deputy Head of Mission,
Republic of Surinam
Mr. Carl G Svensson, Counsellor (Head),
Development Coorperation Section,
Embassy of Sweden
221. Mobilizing the local community
Prabhat pheris have started off in
over 780 villages out of 1300. The
remaining villages are being
covered.
Volunteers of
the foundation
managing
public events.
222. Produced several films and serials depicting
Braj culture by training rural youth.
These programmes have been aired on DD I & other channels
223. Master Planning of Braj
TBF is now inspiring the
governments of Haryana
& Rajasthan for the
same.
To conserve precious
heritage & ensure
planned development,
TBF inspired UP Govt. to
prepare a Master Plan
for Braj in 2008.
224. TBF prepares
Tourism Master Plan of Braj
Approved by the Govt. of
UP, deeply appreciated
by Secretary Planning
Commission of India &
other top experts of the
country
UP Govt. has started
implementing TBF’s
recommendations for
the Rs. 2000 Cr
Master Plan!
229. Sri Ramesh Baba ji
of Gahvarvan, Barsana
the most beloved
saint of Brajwasis,
who never leaves Braj,
accepts no disciples,
shuns opulence &
composes and sings
classical & folk bhajans
Our Inspiration
230. How can you support us?
Please forward our website
www.brajfoundation.org
to all those who may appreciate our work.
Please donate generously through
cheque/DD in favor of
The Braj Foundation
payable at New Delhi.
231. Please write to us if you would like to volunteer
your time or skills for the Braj cause at
The Braj Foundation
C 6/28, Safdarjung Development Area
Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016
Ph: 011- 26566800,
Email: info@brajfoundation.org
Website: www.brajfoundation.org