In the bustling lives they lead, five sisters, known as the 'Sangha Sisters,' remain deeply committed to the upkeep of their ancestral residences in the Nawanpind Sardaran village in Punjab. Their relentless dedication to preserving the two homes, named 'Kothi' and 'Pipal Haveli,' bore fruit as their village was recently awarded the title of "Best Tourism Village of India 2023" by the Tourism Ministry . This recognition was bestowed upon Nawanpind Sardaran in Gurdaspur for its remarkable efforts in safeguarding and promoting Punjab's cultural heritage while fostering sustainable development through tourism.
Out of 750 villages from 31 states and union territories that vied for the accolade of "Best Tourism Village 2023," Nawanpind Sardaran secured a place among the select 35. The historic 'Kothi' and 'Pipal Haveli,' constructed nearly 140 years ago and meticulously renovated in recent years, have been transformed into homestays that attract both domestic and international tourists.
The guardians of these two houses are five sisters: Gursimran Kaur Sangha, Gurmeet Rai Sangha, Manpreet Kaur Sangha, Gita Sangha, and Noor Sangha. Their mother, Satwant Kaur Sangha, shared her joy at receiving this prestigious award, explaining that Nawanpind Sardaran was established by Narain Singh in the late 19th century. He constructed the 'Haveli' to serve as a residence and storage for produce, agricultural tools, and interactions with farmworkers. In 1886, his son Beant Singh erected the house now known as 'Kothi.' "Our emotional connection to our village is profound," expressed Gursimran Sangha.
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Satwant Kaur Sangha recounted how she relocated to this village in Gurdaspur following the passing of her husband, Captain Gurpreet Singh Sangha, in 1982. At that time, she was engaged in farming in Gurdaspur. It was her daughter, Gurmeet Rai, a renowned conservation architect, who suggested the renovation of their ancestral house about 15 years ago, sparking the journey of transformation. The family, in partnership with the Gurdaspur district administration, has not only been instrumental in promoting rural tourism but has also actively engaged the local community and created employment opportunities.
Gursimran, based in Delhi, runs a goat farming business in the village, providing employment to local youths, with plans to expand this enterprise. Gita Sangha is involved with women's self-help groups in the village, particularly in craft production. Under her guidance, a brand called 'Bari collective' was established for craft production, involving approximately 60 women from the villages. The 'Kothi' and 'Pipal Haveli' have also offered employment to village women.
Manpreet Kaur Sangha, residing in the USA, manages the online booking of homestays in their houses, and during her visits to the village, she imparts yoga training to schoolchildren. The youngest sister, Noor Sangha, based in Mumbai, is a lawyer by profession. According to their mother, Satwant Sangha, conservation architect Gurmeet Rai highlighted the considerable potential for the promotion of this region in terms of cultural heritage. Gurdaspur is replete with numerous cultural heritage sites, and from a tourism perspective, it occupies a strategic position along the route from Amritsar to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Nawanpind Sardaran is positioned just five kilometers south of National Highway-54, connecting Amritsar to key tourist destinations such as the Mata Vaishno Devi temple, Kangra, Dharamsala, Dalhousie, and more. The village is undoubtedly a treasure trove of cultural heritage and tourism prospects.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
First Published: Oct 15, 2023 12:17 PM IST
