India

Established in 2015, WMF India serves as a local representative for WMF, assisting with project management and outreach.

 

World Monuments Fund began work in India in 1996 after placing the Taj Mahal on the World Monuments Watch. In 2015, WMF India joined the World Monuments Fund family of affiliates, established under India’s Companies Act, following the country’s policy to include heritage conservation in corporate social responsibility programs.

Spearheaded by Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur, a 2006 Hadrian awardee, WMF India quickly established a significant presence in the country. Alongside its conservation work, WMF India has partnered with the Telangana government to host an evening of music and book reading with William Dalrymple to raise awareness about the historic Osmania Women’s College.

More recently, WMF India participated as knowledge partners at the International Conference on Women in Design held in 2020 in Mumbai, which brought together women leaders in design from around the world. WMF India has also supported the Khasgi Trust in repairing the Ahilya Temple and Chhatri and Ghats. Funds raised through American Express India and the Interglobe Foundation have helped to further expand WMF’s footprint throughout India.

In the years to come, WMF India will continue to develop its leadership in conservation and critical thought in multiple areas. The conservation of historic water bodies will be a key focus as WMF India tackles the challenges of climate change and lack of access to potable water in large parts of India, in line with the Indian Government’s intention to restore historic water systems.

 

WMF India Board of Directors

  • Shri Gaj Singhji, Chair
  • Rahul N. Bhagat
  • Shalini Bhupal
  • Lorna B. Goodman, ex-officio
  • Pramit Jhaveri
  • Sangita Jindal
  • Bénédicte de Montlaur, ex-officio
  • Priya Paul
  • Rashmi Poddar
  • Bahram N. Vakil

 

Annual Reports 

2021 - 2022 

2022 - 2023

WMF India
World Monuments Fund India Association C/o CoWrks
Birla Centurion, 3rd Floor, Century Mills Compound
Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Mumbai – 400 030, Maharashtra, India
In Focus

Featured Projects

Chinese New Year celebrations, 2020.
Active Project

Tiretta Bazaar

Kolkata, India
India’s earliest Chinatown is home to minority communities seeking recognition for their history and urban revitalization to support their way of life.
View of the Taj Bawdi water tank in Bijapur, India.
Active Project

Historic Water Systems of India

India
The Historic Water Systems of India project is an opportunity to address intersecting contemporary issues, including the impacts of urbanization and climate change on access to clean water.
© NOUGHTS AND CROSSESS

Osmania Women's College

Hyderabad, India
Osmania Women’s College has a gripping history and an important modern function, but years of decline and faulty repair put its structural stability at risk.
View of the Afghan War Memorial Church interior.

Afghan War Memorial Church

Mumbai, India
Restoring this historic Gothic Revival church and war memorial will revitalize a key multi-cultural community space in a historic area of Mumbai.
Lal Bagh Palace exterior, 2019

Lal Bagh Palace

Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
An iconic palace of nineteenth-century India will serve as a model for conservation and sustainable management of palaces.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium was one of the first folded-plate structures in India, 2018.
Completed Project

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium

Ahmedabad, India
An architectural icon in need of repair can continue to provide opportunities for recreation and access to public space for the residents of Ahmedabad.
Completed Project

Balaji Ghat

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dating from 1735, Balaji Ghat is located on the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continuously occupied cities and an important Hindu pilgrimage destination.