At the National Tourism Awards held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, Qutub Minar begged an award for being the best monument for differently-abled, while Ahmedabad and Mandu were jointly declared the 'Best Heritage City' in the country. These awards were presented by Union Tourism Minister K.J Alphons.
Known for its well-preserved heritage and Indo-Islamic architectures, Hyderabad is India's first UNESCO World Heritage City. During the ceremony, the citation for the city read, ‘Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is a pioneer in people-centric urban conservation since 1996, with establishment of the first heritage cell in India. This has led to awareness creation, framing of heritage regulations, conservation and restoration of invaluable heritage buildings.’
Hyderabad had to share the ‘Best Heritage City’ award with Mandu, a culturally rich city in Madhya Pradesh. In the citation, the city was portrayed as ‘celebration in stone of life and joy’. The description for the city further elaborated that each of the Mandu’s structure is an architectural gem and the glorious past of Mandu can still be relieved through its palaces and mosques. From local people to government authorities, all have helped in conservation of Mandu’s vibrant heritage and its cleanliness.
