Kaza (Himachal Pradesh), October 7, 2024
AkzoNobel India announced the completion of a Let’s Colour
initiative in three remote villages in Himachal Pradesh that literally takes
the transformative power of its paint to the top of the world!
Mr. Rahul Jain, ADC of Kaza and Chief Guest of the event,
inaugurated the program by lighting a lamp in front of the statue of Lord
Buddha. The event was further attended by lamas from Komic and Langza
monasteries, along with over 100 residents of Komic, Hikkim, and Langza
villages.
The unique “Let’s Colour” project
was staged in Komic (the world’s highest village reachable by a motorable
road); Hikkim (home to the world’s highest post office); and Langza (where
marine fossils older than the Himalayas have been found).
Situated more than 15,000 feet
above sea level (around the same height as the base of Mount Everest), the
villagers – who are mostly Tibetan
Buddhists – endure winter
temperatures that regularly dip below -25°C, necessitating the hassle of annual repainting. This now stands changed as 20
painters used more than 10,500 liters of the company’s Dulux Weathershield
range of exterior emulsions and enamels to ensure longer lasting all-weather
protection for the tribal communities.
“This is more than a ‘Let’s Colour’ project, it symbolizes
AkzoNobel’s commitment to paint the future for communities anywhere in the
world. Paint really has more power than we think. While creating inspired
living space for the residents today, it’s going beyond to provide enduring
protection against extreme Himalayan winters and preserve the region’s
centuries old Buddhist spiritual and cultural tapestry,” said Rajiv Rajgopal,
Chairman and Managing Director of Akzo Nobel India Limited.
Reference link for Let’s Colour Initiative -https://youtu.be/44RJqTIT11A?si=JyuIDp7mB7ivDDY5
The transformation of the three
villages located in the Spiti Valley - a
high-altitude cold desert region of the
Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh – happened over the course of
four months. The revitalization that covered a significant 300,000 sq. feet
area included more than 100 homes, three schools, three monasteries, 8 cafés
and 12 homestays.
The transformation also revived a number of buildings
integral to the cultural identity of the region, such as the 14th-century
Tangyud monastery (one of the oldest in the world) and the Komic museum.
Collaborating with the villagers to, AkzoNobel team chose
a palette of soulful hues steeped in Buddhist traditions - blues for universal
compassion, whites symbolizing purity and reds for blessings.
The project's impact extends well beyond
aesthetics. A local artist also painted a series of purposeful
murals designed to help boost tourism by creating a more vibrant and
inviting environment. The young Buddhist monk with a prayer wheel in residence
and a meditating Buddha paint a picture of tranquillity at the monastery. Art
interventions on the region’s vulnerable snow-leopards, Himalayan ibexes, and
yaks spread awareness of native species. The stargazing mural encourages
tourists to marvel at the rare sight of Milky Way galaxy.
“We’re extremely proud to harness the transformative power
of paint to uplift communities and inspire positive change,” adds Rajgopal.
“Whether it involves rejuvenating the timeless Blue City appeal of Jodhpur and
keeping homes cooler in the blistering heat, or safeguarding villages on top of
the world from extreme sub-zero winters.”
AkzoNobel's global “Let's Colour” initiative was launched
in 2009. To date, over 100 million people across 46 countries have
benefitted from 3,000 projects, using in excess of two million liters of paint.