Skål International Mumbai recently organised a Mumbai Heritage Walk for its members and special invitees. Despite the inclement weather, more participants than expected turned up to enjoy the inspiring walk guided by the well-known heritage expert Hilario Dsouza. The event blended history, culture and conservation in a format that allowed participants to experience the city’s architectural legacy up close while understanding the importance of protecting it.
The two-hour tour began at the iconic Asiatic Library and concluded at the famous Regal Cinema on Colaba Causeway. After the walk, participants gathered for brunch at the historic Olympia Café, a venue chosen to match the day’s theme. Along the route, the group encountered Mumbai’s heritage monuments, their stories brought alive by the guide’s detailed narration of their history, significance and aesthetic values, which helped participants see these landmarks from a fresh perspective.
Key highlights of the walk included Brady House, St Thomas Cathedral, Flora Fountain, Hutatma Chowk, Rajabai Tower, the Bombay High Court and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (CSMV). Many of these buildings are well over a century old but remain in admirable condition. Each stop illustrated Mumbai’s evolution as a financial and cultural centre while showing how architectural heritage can continue to enrich urban life today.
The event was presided over by Ishrath Alam, Assistant Director – India Tourism (Western Region), who emphasised the need for sustainable practices in tourism. His remarks resonated with this year’s World Tourism Day theme of “Tourism & Sustainable Transformation.” He highlighted that preserving heritage requires not only government action but also community involvement and awareness campaigns such as this walk.
Sk Burjis Mehta and the Managing Committee members of Skål Mumbai thanked Alam for his participation and presented him with a copy of the latest published Skål India Magazine – KOTIN. Sunil V.A., Regional Vice President of Oman Air, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of organising more such initiatives to create awareness about India’s incredible tourism assets and breathtaking monuments for both domestic and international audiences.
The walk concluded with an informal networking brunch at the heritage café, where participants shared their impressions and ideas for future events. Bu, President of Skål 144, closed the session by acknowledging the enthusiastic turnout and reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism while celebrating Mumbai’s rich history and architectural splendour.
