Have you ever ever walked previous an outdated constructing and puzzled about its story? In Delhi, there are a whole bunch of such historic treasures, however most individuals hurry previous them with out a second look.
That is what bothered younger Vihan Tampi, a Class 12 pupil from Shiv Nadar Faculty, Noida, who grew up exploring these historic treasures together with his father, Chandrashekar Thampi, a heritage professional.
“Ever since I used to be 4, Dad would take me on these superb walks and inform me tales about every place,” says Vihaan. “However through the years, we’ve watched how air pollution and negligence have degraded these constructions.”
As a substitute of simply feeling unhappy about it, Vihaan determined to do one thing.
Alongside together with his schoolmates — Arnav Vij, Aryan Bardeja, and Karissa Gupta — he created an app known as WaPas (Strolling Previous). It’s a intelligent play on phrases — whereas it refers to individuals strolling previous monuments, the shortened kind ‘WaPas’ additionally means ‘going again’ in Hindi, completely capturing the app’s goal of serving to individuals join with their previous.
How does it work?
Consider WaPas as your pocket-sized heritage information. While you’re strolling or driving round Delhi, it sends a pleasant notification for those who’re close to any of the five hundred+ historic websites in its database. “It’s like having a educated buddy who provides you a mild nudge at any time when there’s one thing attention-grabbing close by,” explains Aryan.
The staff labored with mentors from Adobe to make the app simple to make use of. It permits customers to hearken to details about websites as a substitute of studying it, save favorite locations for later visits, and get detailed tales about every location. Whereas the app is already obtainable for iPhone customers, Aryan is planning to launch an Android model quickly.
Hidden gems they’ve discovered
Whereas researching for the app, the staff made some superb discoveries. We have been on a stroll on the outskirts of Delhi when an area information, Sunil Harsana, confirmed us some rocks that turned out to be Stone Age instruments!” Karissa shares. “These could possibly be older than the Harappan civilisation — think about that!”
In addition they discovered one thing unbelievable in a small gurdwara in Noida. “There’s a rock there that freedom fighters Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad reportedly used whereas making explosives in the course of the independence motion,” Aryan says. “Such essential items of our historical past are simply sitting there, and hardly anybody is aware of about them.”
To get the information proper, the staff didn’t simply depend on Google searches. They dug by way of outdated books and information, talked to historians, and double-checked all the pieces. “We needed to ensure we acquired the actual tales, not simply what’s well-liked on the web,” explains Karissa.
What’s subsequent?
The venture, which began with a Rs 2 lakh funding from the group’s personal financial savings, has larger desires now. The staff desires to take WaPas to different cities like Mumbai and Lucknow. They’re additionally serious about working with tourism corporations and including particular options for customers who need extra.
Though they’ll be heading off to college quickly, largely overseas, they’re not abandoning their venture. “Most of our work could be executed on-line,” says Arnav. “Plus, we are able to have a look at including heritage websites from different nations too!”
The venture has had great help from their faculty, with faculty coordinator Deepa Ranganath guiding them all through, backed by Principal Anju Soni’s encouragement.
Vihaan shares a narrative to underscore why the initiative issues. “There was this outdated tower we’d see each time we drove to Agra. It’s fallen now. I find out about it as a result of my dad advised me, however future generations gained’t even understand it existed. That’s why we’d like WaPas.”
In our fast-moving world the place outdated tales typically get forgotten, these younger innovators have created one thing particular — a easy approach to assist individuals uncover the superb historical past round them, one notification at a time.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All pictures courtesy WaPas
