It’s a ray of hope, a drop in the ocean to know that conservation stands a chance to be experimented with or be given an opportunity to improve the quality of life and that old, heritage buildings are relevant in the present-day context,” shared Vikas Dilawari, conservation architect, soon after his labour of love, BJPCI (Sir Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution) conservation project in Charni Road bagged the Award of Merit at the 2024, UNESCO, Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The Abathsahayeshwarar Temple Conservation Project in Thukkatchi, Thanjavur district, won the Award of Distinction, and was the only other Indian entry to win at the ceremony that was announced on December 6 at UNESCO’s regional headquarters in Bangkok.

The bust of Sir Byramjee Jeejeebhoy