Systems design proposal habitat final

SYSTEM DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY

PROPOSAL FOR HABITATPROMOTION CENTER

Semester • Jan-May 2015

Department of Design, IIT Guwahati

32 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati

Students

Shambhavi DeshpandeDorai Raj NathaAayush Jain

Rajib BhakatKunal DregoKulmanali Khilare

Habitat Group

B.Des IVyrB.Des IVyrB.Des IVyr

M.DesIV yrM.Des IIyrM.Des IIyr

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The Aim of the project is to study and document the Habitat of the village of Bordowa, 16 km north of Nagaon District in Assam. Bordowa is the Religous capital of Assam, as it is the birth place of the greatest Saint of Assam Shrimanta Shankardev, who propagated the Bhakti movement. As apart of the project we stayed at Bordowa for 4 days and interacted with the local community and people , visited their homes, and documented the entire process interms of videos and photographs. We tried to undestand the dynamics of Bordowa, as a cultural centre ,an Economic hub and as a potential model for sustainable growth.The following report summarises our experiences and observations during our stay in Bordowa.

Synopsis

We would like to thank the people of Bordowa for letting us into thair homes and their hearts.The purpose of the visit was to understanding the needs of the society and built up a system level intervention for the upliftment of the society.Our solution aims to put Bardowa in the map and make it and Attractive tourist spot. To make a sustainable system which helps the tourists and also the villagers to experience the journey. Creating the unique experience of Bordowa whoever visits it is the core aim of the project.

Course Instructor

Dr. Ravi.Mokashi Punekar

Asst. Prof Sharmistha Banerjee


INTRODUCTIONSrimanta Sankardev (1449–1568) (Môhapurux Srimôntô Xônkôrdeu), was a 15th–16th century Assamese polymath: a saint-scholar, poet, playwright, social-religious reformer and a figure of importance in the cultural and religious history of Assam, India. He is widely credited with building on past cultural relics and devising new forms of music (Borgeet), theatrical performance (Ankia Naat, Bhaona), dance (Sattriya), literary language (Brajavali). Besides, he has left an extensive literary oeuvre of trans-created scriptures (Bhagavat of Sankardev), poetry and theological works written in Sanskrit, Assamese and Brajavali. The Bhagavatic religious movement he started, Ekasarana Dharma and also called Neo-Vaishnavite movement, influenced two medieval kingdoms---Koch and the Ahom kingdoms—and the assembly of devotees he initiated evolved into Sattras over time, which continue to be important socio-religious institutions in Assam and to a lesser extend in North Bengal. Sankardev inspired the Bhakti movement in Assam just as Guru Nanak, Ramananda, Kabir, Basava and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inspired it elsewhere in the Indian subcontinent. His influence spread even to some kingdoms as the Matak Kingdom founded by Bharat Singha, and consolidated by Sarbanda Singha in the latter 18th century endorsed his teachings

Sankaradeva propagated a form of Vaisnavism known as Eka-Śaraṇa Hari-Nāma Dharma, popularly referred to as Mahāpuruṣism, which considers Lord Krishna (Kṛṣṇa) to be the One, Eternal and Absolute and stresses upon unqualified devotion to Him. He spread the liberal and humanistic doctrine of bhakti for the very first time in Assam. The religious system of Sankaradeva is strictly monotheistic and the worship of deities other than Krishna is strictly prohibited. Eka-Sarana, in Sankaradeva’s Mahapurusism, means taking absolute shelter or refuge in One God, Krishna

Batadrava Than/ Bardowa Satra:Than’ means a sacred place in Assamese society. Traditionally this word has been used to indicate a sacred place. It was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Sthan’ meaning place. Srimanta Sankaradeva used this indigenous Assamese word ‘Than’ to indicate the residential religious institution created by him. At that time the word ‘Satra’ was not used. Srimanta Sankaradeva himself used the word ‘Than’. It was only later that the word ‘Sattra’ started to be used.

Mahapurukh Srimanta Sankardev.2Batadrava Than in Bordowa in the present Nagaon district of Assam is one of the best known Thans founded by Srimanta Sankaradeva. It is named as SRI SRI BATADRAVA THAN. Srimanta Sankaradeva set up the first ever Kirtanghar here in 1468. The importance of this place is also derived from the fact that the saint was born at Alipukhuri – Bordowa in 1449. After returning from his 12 year long pilgrimage in 1493, he started preaching his Vaishnavite religious ideas here regularly and systematically. His ideas were based on Bhagavata Purana

Some of the teachings of Srimanta Shankardeva(1) Brahma is the supreme truth.(2) Brahma and Iswara (God) are the same.(3) Brahma or Iswara is there in every being.(4) Iswara and His creations are not different.(5) Jiva (creature) is a component of God. The former constitutes the body of the latter.(6) The creation is temporary, but not exactly unreal as it is a projection of God. So it cannot be ignored.(7) Maya (illusion) is an act of God and its influence can be avoided by the grace of God.(8) One becomes God as one realizes the identity of God and the five elements


BRaINsTORmINgBaRDOwa swOT aNalysIs

Key words: Tourism, Cultural Identity, Spreading teaching of Shankardev, Economic empowerment, Sustainable growth, Tourism Experience.

Tourism Cultural awreness

Economic

Empowerment

3 peak times to visit Bardowa:• Doul Uttsav(Holi)• Birth aniversery of

Shankardev.• Death aniversery of

Shankardev.• Unique about Bordowa:• The cultural heritage.• Teachings of Shankardev.• Lifestyle • Dance and songs.• Handicrafts.• markets and local

siteseeing.• History .

• Dance, Bhawna • Songs, Naam geet, Kirtan.• Reciepies• Cultural wears and ethnic

jewellery.• Tourist guide.• Art and Crafts.• Museum.• History through Interaction.• Artefacts• Habitat and Cultural

Awareness

• Generate Employment.• Involve locals in tourusm

process.• Home Sharing.• Food Sharing.• Exchange of Culture and

Knowledge • Through information and

practice.• Involve tourist in daily life.• Bridging the gap.• Source of livelyhood.• Act as tourists guide.• Teach Shankardev's

principles.

STRENGTH

THREATS OPPORTUNITIES

WEAKNESS

• Vegetation, Bamboo, Coconut, Tobacco. • Cultural capital of Assam. • Holy place • Handicrafts, weaving, kuhila, fisheries. • Cleanliness • Electricity, connectivity, well connected through

roads. • Teachings of Shrimanta Shankardev. • Government support. • Satra is the Cultural center. • Harmony between ethnic groups. • Peaceful and Culturally rich.

• Low lying area • Purchasing power. • Valuation of handicrafts in money. • Lack of interest in tourism. • No hotels nearby. • Not business minded. • Lack of jobs. • Mostly aged population. • Proper communication to tourists outside of

Assam. • Loss of Cultural values. • Opportunity wasted in Tourism Sector.

• Economic empowerment through Handicrafts, food products, Tourism , Hospitality etc.

• Tourism opportunities. • Digital Empowerment. • Spreading cultural awareness. • Training village youth to become socially

responsible . • Manure Cultivation. • Bamboo crafts. • Cultural Empowerment. • Spread teachings of Shankardev. • Tourism during Holi and Birth anniversary of

Shankardev.

• Geographical Limitations • Economic Backing. • Loss of cultural ethos due to business and

industries. • Extra usage of natural resources. • Disturbance in Harmony. • No competent authority. • Loss of younger generation to cities for job etc.


Creating The Bordowa Experience

Tourist Host

satra

• Sharing of Home .• Sharing of Food.• Can buy products directly from the Craftsmen.• Tourist feels safe and secure.• Sharing of experience.• Quality checked by satra.• Homley Hospitality.• 1st hand experiences.• Sharing of values and teachings of Shankardev.• Value adddition• Strong bond formation.

The Habitat Centre

The Habitat Centre• The Habitat center controls

the interaction between the guest and the host.

• It acts as the governing body and ensures quality ans safe service to the Guest.

• It controls and regulate the monetary transactions between the guest and the Host.

Guest and Host InteractionTourist Experience Design

Com

mun

icat

ion

Actio

ns in

Life

styl

e

• Places to visit • Things to buy • People to meet • Books on

history/Guide • Quotes and

teachings of Shankar Dev.

• Trivia and Traditions.

• Word of mouth.

• 1 to 1 interaction

Wearing tat silk Muga

Weaving classes Relevant photography

Folk Music Movies

Museum tour Bhawna performance

• Home cooked Food • Sharing and caring Hosts • Eating food together

prepared by the host • Interior based on vastu. • Integration of

panchatatva in daily life • Use of natural elements

for cleaning. • Follow teachings of

Shankardev • Mingle with locals • Sharing of Work.


Family2Family1

Satra

Monetary Investment for theinfra and early costs of HPC

Building the HPC infra

Family3 Family4 Family5Family1

Cooking food Cleanliness

Organising Bhawnaperformances

Interior Decoration

Beddings

Reciting fromthe Bhagwat

Complaintsmanagement

Providing Information to touristsOffline + Online info management

Accounts managementBookings, Payments

from tourists

Family3Family2

Satra

Family1

Monetary Investment for the infra and

early costs of THC

1. Share in Profit according to initial investment

2. Fix benefits to all sevakariQuality check

Family4 Family5 Villager5

Building the THC infra

System functioning: Citizens point of view System functioning: Satra point of view

Proposal: The villagers of Bordowa take part in the building and functioning of this Habitat Promotion Centre (HPC), in the form of money or contribution to logistics. This whole process of creating the HPC is coordinated by the Satra, and takes place during the festival times of rush. All participating families contribute in various modes like Cooking food, Cleaning up, Arranging beddings, interior decorations, and even reciting shlok from the Bhagwat, organising Bhawna in the HPC.

This is how the Satra would be involved in the functioning of Bordowa Habitat Promotion Centre. It would be a monitoring agent, one which ensures that all co-operating families are doing their contribution with a certain standard of quality. Also, the Satra would be involved in handling all monetary affairs with fair justice and authority. The families involved will invest some money, like shares of a stock market, and get a proportionate share from the total profit.


This is how the system will proposedly work out for all stakeholders involved, including the Jatri i.e. Tourists. Information about this HPC will be accesses by people outside Bordowa, through internet, Assam tourism offices, ads etc. They will book rooms & pay money Satra. According to tentative numbers, Satra will plan out basic logistics, interested families will put in their investment and take responsibilities. Jatris will come to Bordowa, live in HPC and experience the whole system designed for them. In HPC, they will be connected to History guides, Handicraft artisans, get involved in Religous traditions like Bhawna, recitals from Bhagwat. The families will get monetary benefits and more importantly joy of celebrating culture; and the Jatri will obtain an entirely immersive experience and knowledge of Bordowa's core, which is its culture and values.

1. Share in Profit according to initial investment

2. Fixed benefits to all sevakari

Jatri(Tourist)

Jatri(Tourist)

Jatri(Tourist)

Jatri(Tourist)

J: Know Bordowa history

C: Cultural pride

J: Take away home Shankardev teachings,Main visiting purpose C: Cultural reverance

J: RefreshmentC: Monetary Growth

J: Buy unique souvenirs

C: Growth, cultural pride

Experience living in Bordowa completely

Complaintsmanagement

Providing Information to touristsOffline + Online info management

Accounts managementBookings, Payments

from tourists

Satra

Monetary Investment for the infra and

early costs of THC

1. Intimate owners2. Quality check

Family6

Handicraft artisans

Knowledgeable citizens

Weaving artisans

Religous artefacts shops

CaterersSmall hotels

Family1

Interior Decoration

Beddings

Cooking food

Cleanliness

OrganisingBhawna

performances

Reciting fromthe Bhagwat

Family3

Family2

Family4

Family5

Building the THC infra

(Joint effort)

Pay online/on arrival

Book rooms

Get info online or phone or in person

System Model: The complete Jatri experience


Tourist(User)

Satra(Admin)

Service provider(Family)

Create database

Provide money

Provide room

Guide

Provide food

Transport

Service

Send information

Introduce culture

Introduce local art & craft(Market)

Availability

Pictures Facilities

Rent

Manage

(Website /app)

Access

Visit

(Family member)

Money Model

The Habitat Centre

Design of the Guest Room

ArtefectsTraditional Artefects include:• Japi• Khorai• Gamucha• Masks for plays• Dhol,Mridanga• Tal • Local Crafts• Kuhila Artistry• Water Hysin furniture• Assamese Jewellery


PanchatatwaVisualization of the Guest Room

• The Guest room might bw inside the house of the host or outside the house in the front yard.

• The Guests and the Host shares Food, Living room, toilets.

• This will encourage them to maintain hyigene.

• The house is made up of locally available material, such as bamboo, wood, hay etc.

• The room is well ventilated.• The initial cost of the room

building is bore by the Habitat centre and the owner in a partnership basis.

• The Habitat centre is respossible for regulag check up and maintaining the quality of the room and hospitality issues.

• The interior is decorated with the locally available crafts and the craft that is the speciality of the house.


Other activities generated by this system• This system will lead to a plethora of opportunities within the Bordowa community and outside it;

rise of entrepreneurial activity within the Bordowa than, a growing interest among people outside for visiting the place, and an increase in the weightage of heritage of this place in history, are just a gist of what could happen.

• Following are some activities which this system will encourage:

• Food items processing

• Translation of Bordowa history, Shankardev's teachings books to Hindi, English and other languages

• Slight automation of

Handicrafts: eg. Tat weaving machine, aquacynth furniture, Kuhila craft

• Building of a viewpoint for a

top view of Akashiganga • Plastic recycling plant near

the gaon

• Housewives, home activity • Learned people and

multilinguals in the gaon • Artisans, Engineers • Mistrys, Builders, Tourist

guides • Environmentalists, land,

other expertise

• Packaged food specific to Bordowa taken by tourists

• More and more Jatri access

buy the books • Increase in production,

widespread usage, heritage and traditions are celebrated

• Jatri can view the

Akashiganga shape, know the history from a guide

• When many tourists visit,

the high amount of waste generated will be managed

Input or Investment Internal functioning elements Output or Achievement