Hi there Frederick Noronha has suggested I share my current project with this group - hope it finds interest.
My name is Sonal Alvares and I am an Environment, Sustainability & CSR freelance (independent) professional. On the side, I am working on a personal project to capture photos and memories/stories of old houses in Bandra, Mumbai in a Book. For this project I have created a website which I hope will become a repository and means of communication among like-minded people who will (hopefully) join me in this project as a 'community for heritage conservation'. The objectives of the book and the website are to save these beautiful structures that are fast disappearing because of the premiuim place on the land they stand on in a space starved city like Mumbai. Eventual goal is to create a trust with funds where residents can apply for finance to support minor repair and maintenance. Since the matter is sensitive and people living/having lived in old houses feel especially vulnerable, I am approaching them with care, hoping to bring them on board as part of the community before anything else progresses. I come from a family with roots in Khotachiwadi - my father and his siblings grew up there - my uncle's children continue to live in a beautiful old house there. My grandfather built the building my mother lives in, in Bandra west back when there were only marsh and fields around. I feel deeply connected to the past of our city and wish in some way this is conserved in a book or some form of digital media. Looking for support in the form of people who are passionate about this cause and wish to join me - photographer, illustrator, story teller, designer, architect, bandra residents, students - anyone. Hope to complete one booklet on one house to use as a pilot to then apply for funding for the book. Later - hope to expand to the rest of Bombay - Bandra is not the only suburb with such hidden and nearly extinct treasures. Thanks for your time! Sonal
