In our fast-paced world, we rarely have the time to visit our heritage and connect with our roots on a deeper level. However, there are individuals making efforts to bridge this gap and revive our connections to the past, and one such example is Anoushka Jain. As the founder of "Enroute Indian History," Anoushka educates and raises awareness about heritage among people. Let's explore her journey to understand how she got here.
The Visionary Journey of Anoushka Jain: Embracing Heritage
In 2018, Anoushka Jain completed her post-graduation in History from Hindu College, Delhi University. She also holds a diploma in Art History. Following this, she interned at the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA) in the Janapada Sampada division with UNESCO.
She had a particularly strong interest in the concept of "Heritage," which is why people used to suggest that she should start her own Heritage walks. However, the idea of organizing such Heritage walks wasn’t easy for her, as at that time not many people used to attend these walks. That is why she always used to question: Would it be successful? But despite this uncertainty, she knew what she wanted, and she went for it.
Founding “Enroute Indian History”: Nurturing Heritage and Awareness
In 2019, she founded a unique Heritage and research organization named “Enroute Indian History,” which happens to be the only women-led heritage organization in Delhi. The organization aims to spread knowledge and create awareness about heritage through learning modules, workshops, and heritage walks. En route conducted heritage walks to different historical sites in Delhi, such as Qutub Minar, Lodhi Garden, Safdarjung Tomb, and more.
Transforming Heritage Walks Digitally
Then came 2020, and COVID-19 happened. It was undoubtedly a challenging time for every sector, but Anoushka managed to seek her way out to run her organization even in that hard time.
As the physical heritage walks weren't possible during the pandemic, she transformed them into digital ones, allowing people to explore monuments digitally. Taking advantage of the Digital walks, Enroute gained significant global recognition and attracted a new audience base. People from various parts of the world, including the USA, UK, and Pakistan, registered for these digital walks to immerse themselves in Indian heritage and gain insights despite the geographical barriers.
Today, it has been over four years since the “Enroute Indian History” was started, and it has a team of around 30 women from diverse backgrounds. The organization has provided internships to over 150 individuals in the sector of heritage mapping, research and writing, fieldwork, and media. Anoushka believes that information about heritage should be imparted at an early stage, which is why her team visits schools to introduce the RSR (Real-Time Learning, Skill Development, and Research) learning approach, aiming for a better understanding of Heritage.
Ladies Night Walks: Fostering Safety and Inclusivity
Later, Anoushka initiated another segment of Enroute - "Ladies Night Walk," designed to encourage women to participate safely. Despite Delhi being a city of monuments, women often felt unsafe visiting them alone at night due to inadequate security measures. The "Ladies Night Walk" offers a secure environment for women to explore monuments, accompanied by an all-female team. These walks are conducted twice a month in the evening, and to date, over 80 Ladies Night Walks have been conducted. Moreover, Enroute's heritage walks have gained appreciation from the LGBTQ+ community, as they are warmly welcomed and feel secure during these experiences.
As of now, Enroute operates only in Delhi, but Anoushka has plans to expand it to other cities, including Meerut, Kolkata, and Kashmir, aiming for a wider impact on raising awareness and appreciation for heritage throughout India. Her strong commitment and creative approaches consistently bring about significant positive changes, enhancing lives by strengthening their bond with cultural legacies.
