UNESCO Project
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Analogous, Preserving Traditional Local Culture in Punjab
The first visit to the village of Thatta Ghulamkha Dhirok, Okara District, at the invitation of graphic designer and journalist Amjad Ali, was a special experience and led a year later to a film production (Amjad's Village, a DGFK production) that captured 24 hours of village life in a documentary. The artisanal skills of the village women and the mud-brick architecture were particularly impressive.
The multi-talented Dr. Senta Siller, born in Vienna, decided to dedicate her extensive skills to this project. The result was the establishment of an organization that enabled the women to develop their artisanal skills, generate supplementary income for their families, and still maintain their family and traditional responsibilities.
Dr. Senta Siller's efforts quickly led to success in Pakistan, with participation in the Lok Virsa National Museum Festival in Islamabad and awards, as well as approximately 16 retail outlets both domestically and internationally. For ten years, the village project participated in the Dubai Shopping Festival. The SPARC-NGO, with Anees Yaqub and M.M. Ali, organized four LIFE events (Lahore International Festival of EduTainment), showcasing analog (village) crafts and digital art (from the USA and Europe). In 2000, the village project, under the title Amjads Village, was highlighted at EXPO 2000 as a particularly sustainable project. Subsidiary projects developed in Cameroon, Colombia, Iceland, and Greece (Olympiad 2004).
The village, now known as the Doll Village / Thatta Kedona, has transformed into a village development project with diverse activities (award-winning mud houses), alternative technologies (photovoltaics, wind turbines, etc.), drip irrigation, drinking water, internet radio, and more, involving up to 30 foreign volunteers. This led to a film crew (Polzer Media Group) producing a documentary about Thatta Kedona.
Various awards and accolades both domestically and internationally led to UNESCO's Seal of Excellence in 2007. The village dolls have since become ambassadors for Pakistan, and bazaars and events in Berlin, Hamburg, Vienna, Cologne, Zurich, Leipzig, and Stuttgart have helped spread their message. The German Society for Cultural History (DGFK), with the support of V. Kopp, founded the Pakistan House in Potsdam. Interested customers in South Africa, Canada, the USA, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand provided the village women with an income and pride in their work.
The project initiator, still active but now also working in other countries, received numerous accolades and recognitions.
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In 2025, the initiator received the Ruth Pfau Medal from the Pakistani Embassy, and the village project participated in the Bazar2025 trade fair under the patronage of Dr. Siller.
In 2026, the Sitara e Pakistan was presented in Berlin.
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Labels: DGFK, Dr Senta SIller, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona, UNESCO
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:30 AM,
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Preserve and Develop
Friday, November 30, 2018
By Omar M. Ali
Exactly 25 years ago, Dr Senta Siller began working in the arts and crafts in the village of TGD.
From 2008 onwards Dr Norbert continued to work with the volunteers, Three years ago, the work was formally handed over symbolically to the Pressident Amajd Ali.
Now, today, the opening of the exhibition in TGD also marked the practical handover.
If one realizes the considerable changes on both sides of the road from Okara to Gogera, it is clear that projects, such as those of the NGO AFA in the village of TGD, have to react accordingly.
It is important to preserve the proven traditions and continue them while developing something new at the same time.
The NGO is holistic and works for the benefit of the villagers.
Political weather conditions, but also the changing consumer behavior must be taken into account.
An important product are the experiences that have to be passed on.
Cooperation with other NGOs and universities must be maintained and expanded. Exhibition openings on important topics, seminars and workshops on site, all these have already taken place and need to be further developed.
Various opportunities need to be taken; the NGO has for example accommodation, which can be used by paying guests. The arts and crafts remain the beacon for the innovations; they can finance only so much, as in the past years, and this should help in new ideas because complex marketing in mass produced products leads to nothing new.
Labels: Aamir Rafique, Amjad Ali, DGFKeV, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta SIller, FPAC, IPC Pvt Ltd, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:21 AM,
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What to do?
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Discussion event during a SPARC meeting in Lahore with Friends of the SSDC*** in TGD**.
While a lot is being said about freedom in a world of consumption, digitization and globalization, environmental protection and nature conservation in legal terms, but their implementation in an industrial environment is more than questionable.
Also, unselfishness and self-help may theoretically be mentioned, but practically it is not implemented.
The religion of wealth is not only believed in, but it is also practiced. Meanwhile, charitable models practically disappear in nothingness!
Self-involved and affected people in self-help projects behave as in the usual institutions and organizations, - regular income, leisure and progress are the criteria in urban life. This is in strong contrast to the goals of selfless-serving, philanthropy and self-help!
The impossibility of realizing this world-wide is not recognized at all, on the contrary, more and more resources are destroyed, preserved as values. The wealth of a country is based on industrial indicators. This affects the simple areas, including the rural area. Industry and mass production gain in importance.
Opportunities are not recognized or perceived and the orientation towards urban life and its prosperity psychosis grows.
New values and possible goals are ignored!
Projects that could give achieve such goals are not injected with man-power!
Wherever a cautious, sustainable development is possible, we close our eyes.
Modest touristic developments (guest houses, display of local history), cultural exchange (artists in residence, student visits from urban into rural), cooperation with other, similar NGOs, are not given importance. This is how the simple people in the rural areas help to cut down on the already little piece of economic independence they are sitting on.
What is need of the hour?
An unselfish, energetic person who sets a good example - who loves his traditional culture but thinks ahead of the ruling elites!
But in election this will not convert into votes ......
* Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama
** Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka
*** Senta Siller Design Centre
Labels: DGFK, FBTC, FPAC, Norbert Pintsch, Senta Siller Design Centre, SPARC-Project, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3:23 PM,
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Environment Protektion
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Waste management Pilot Project in Rupshu in September 2017
by Klaus Schaette***
In cooperation with HH Lang Na Rimpoche, Wildlife Dept. and Nomadic Resort in Korzok, the Amitabha Expert introduced an awareness campaign for a clean Environment to the Tso Moriri Area, one of the main tourist attraction in the Chantang plateau with almost 120.000 visitors per year. Places of activity were Puga school, Sumdo, Korzog, Tsokar and Debring; three Oildrum Incinerators were given to the villages.
At present, there is no waste collection in the area, nor dumping sites in all villages opened. The waste is flying around, some dumped in the wild or near rivers or seashore. Separation for Recycling of plastics, glass and metal is almost unknown! Tourism is growing, more hotels, tented camps, guesthouses, home-stays and restaurants are set up, especially in Korzok and Tsokar. Most of the tented camps have made holes for the waste, regular burning of the unsorted waste is practiced, a smelling, health hazardous affair. The Awareness that burning all waste, especially all plastics is so far not known. Wildlife Dept. has already lead cleaning campaigns; this unsorted waste, already filled in sacks remained there, as no transport to Leh could so far organized by Wildlife Dept.
In Puga Residential Nomad School live around 85 students and 10 teachers. A Cleaning Campaign was organized, followed by waste separation by students and teachers. The parts for Recycling and Dumping were set aside, a demonstration of Burning in the incinerator with paper and plastic wrappers was In lower Sumdo a Cleaning Campaign was organized by around 30 villagers, followed by a waste Separation for Recycling, Dumping and a demonstration of Burning. In upper Sumdo 25 villagers took part in the same action.
In Korzok with around 300 people living, the villagers deposit their garbage in some dump sites or oil drums, located in- and outside the village. Usually waste is burned, even metal and glass with the help of kerosene, as well by some of the camps. The Village does not look clean. No waste collection, nor dustbins have been introduced so far.
A meeting of villagers and YDA discussed the cleaning problem. A demonstration of waste Separation for the village groups, even monks and military, was organized. Almost 50 people separated the waste. The parts for Recycling and Dumping were set aside, a demonstration of burning in the incinerator with paper and plastic wrappers was given.
In a separate discussion, a site for collection of recycling waste and proper dumping was identified. Our visit to the lakeshore showed a lot of plastics, cement rests, even rotten player flags in and near the water.
In Thukjey at Tsokar-Lake two tented camps, guesthouses, home-stays and restaurants have been set up, most tourist visit here after Tso Moriri. The Eco Resort had already started a simple waste separation in earthholes. Dumping of waste outside village is practiced. On the day of our visit a Cleaning Campaign was underway. A demonstration of waste separation for Recycling and Dumping was given to 40 villagers, followed by a demonstration of burning. During our visit, a site for collection of recycling waste and proper dumping was identified.
In Debring at the Manali Rd, a waste Separation for Recycling and Dumping was introduced to the shopkeepers.
Puga school cleaning campaign
Tukjey waste separation demo
Tukjey paper burning demo
Recommendations: -introduction of deep hole as dumping site and regular waste separation for recycling of metal and plastics, especially in tourist locations will reduce waste by half -introduction of dustbins, may be three in different colours will assist the waste separation and to keep the village clean -follow up of waste separation practice and transport from villages to leh scrapdealers will assist in spreading the practice of waste separation.
*** Klaus Schaette is part of a volunteer member team with around 16 independent IPC-senior experts
Labels: FBTC, IPC, Klaus Schaette, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3:04 PM,
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SHE-Project in village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka
Thursday, March 23, 2017
During his stay in Pakistan, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch / IPC has extended discussions with
Prof Dr Amir Malik / COMSATS, Islamabad (and others) about the SHE Project in village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka.
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| Prof Dr Amir Malik and Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch discussing SHE Project |
SHE Project is innovative, worth promoting and very suitable project that can develop with cooperation with other entities.
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| Prof Dr Noor and Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch discussing SHE Project |
SHE Project has great potentials: it requires the use of local materials, needs very low energy consumption due to natural ventilation and type of material in use, the reuse of local construction material and the use of human and animal waste for Bio-Gas production.
Read more »Labels: Comsats Islamabad, GC University Lahore, IPC, Prof Dr Amir Malik, Prof Dr Noor, Prof Dr Pintsch, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:50 AM,
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Radio TV Thatta Kedona
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
AeFeA (NGO) has been harboring to set up own Radio and Television at the village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka for a long time. Preparation in this regards are coming up fine and Thatta Kedona is expected to start broadcasting soon. The Community Radio will be another first of its kind and will help create awareness among rural communities of the areas about all relevant fields.
Income generation for people in rural areas based on the traditional culture.
TGD Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka
BHU: Basic Health Unit
WAC: Women Art Centre
TTTC: Technology Transfer and Training Center
AT: Appropriate Technology (Wind Mill, Solar Cooker, a.s.o.)
HC: Handicraft (Dolls and Toys)
PCH: Preservation of Cultural Heritage (one per year)
Labels: Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Radio, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:36 AM,
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Dolls, Toys and More
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Click here to read
Labels: Khalid Javaid, Norbert Pintsch, S A J Shirazi, Senta Siller, Thatta Kedona, Ulrike Vestring
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 7:00 AM,
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TGD Housing Competition
Monday, March 30, 2015
One of the most cherished Spring activity in the village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka is annual housing competition. This is an open competition and everyone in the village participates. Judges select the best mud house, best details and best exterior and cash prizes are given.
This annual competition keeps the Dolls Village spanking round the year in addition to keeping the cultural morals alive. This year Winner Bibi Bashiran was the winner once again. Professor Aamir Rafique gave the cash prize.
Compitition with aims of preservation of rural cultural, heritage and environment protection was supported by FPAC and SPARC in Lahore through students from Punjab University.
The students were so impressed, that they have collected additional money for the winners.
Labels: Culture, Environment Protection, FPAC, Heritage, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, SES, SPARC, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1:12 PM,
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Dolls, Toys and More
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Download Dolls, Toys and More - free eBook by S A J Shirazi
Labels: Khalid Javaid, Norbert Pintsch, S A J Shirazi, Senta Siller, Thatta Kedona, Ulrike Vestring
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:55 AM,
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New facility at TGD
Thursday, October 17, 2013
NGOs work on multifaceted cooperation with other similar interest NGOs, organizations and people.
Dr Norbert Pintsch, senior expert from SES is now working on a new idea to foster cooperation between AFA, Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka (TGD called Dolls' Village) and SPARC (Lahore).
The idea is to have a new building in TGD for students, guest and volunteers. The main structure will have ample space and will run with appropriate technology. The rooms will be built with mud by architecture students from Lahore institutions.
Other students, for example for the Pottery Project of TTTC and WAC (also guests and volunteers) will also be able to use the same rooms for staying overnight, too.
Labels: Appropriate Technology, FPAC, Mud Housing, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, SES, SPARC, Thatta Kedona, TTTC, WAC
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:33 PM,
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Development in AFA
Pottery is one of the most sought after skill at Thatta Kedona. Pottery development with Monika Kuppler has a long history. This time TTTC (Men Centre) and WAC (Women Centre) are discussing to take pottery work to the next level. The new idea is to establish a second traditional kiln on the pump house plot, meanwhile for the electric kiln a generator has already been arranged. With the new kiln, Thatta Kedona Pottery Project has become independent from (uncertain) WAPDA energy supply that comes from main grid.
Perhaps next year another type of oven will be given a chance that all together will be a new experience for coming guests, specially for students coming from various universities in Lahore (for guidance and practice).
The same will be useful for the students of architecture.
Labels: Pottery Project, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:10 PM,
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Thatta Kedona
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Volunteers: Dr. Senta Siller, Dr. Norbert Pintsch, Jane Carew-Reid, Dr. Karola Groch, Inge Keindl, Uta Moeller, Dr. Sophie Kuppler, Berhard Staeck, Erika Burchhardt, Gertrud Baier, Renate Perner, Lutz Fluegge, Dr. Nadine Jaeger, Isabel Merkel, Marleen Hamid, Monika Kuppler, Sabine Piltz, Stephanie Walter, Gundula Gomoll, Alexandra Scherer, Rainer Schmitt, Helga Schmitt-Pritz, Dr. Tobias Leonhardt, Marlies Bartkiewitz, Dr.Gwendolyn Kulick, Gittebritt Pintsch, Dr Leila Siller, Dr. Elizabeth Carew-Reid, Ursula Huette, Dr. Amir Malik, Khalid Javaid, Lok Virsa, S A J Shirazi, Ulrike Vestring, Omar M. Ali, AFA (NGO)
Thatta Kedona cooperation with: SPARC, FPAC, BNU, IPC, DGFK
Projects: Kite-project, LC-project, Village Museum, Internet Radio Station, Buffalo Pond, TTTC, WAC, BHU, WaterProject, IEC@BNU
Labels: Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:47 AM,
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Thatta Kedona
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Labels: Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:14 AM,
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Peerzada Cultural Complex AT Workshop with Sohni and Rani
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Children Learn to Protect Environment
September 26-30, 2011
Mud Housing Project started in October 2010 on the premises of Peerzada Cultural Complex (PCC), in which three types of mud houses and use of appropriate technology was introduced to the interested public.
The event followed three objectives:
- Examples of mud houses in rural areas and areas affected by the Indus flooding.
- Motivation for students of architecture for the purpose of experimentation, measurement and study of concepts in order to develop strategy for helping the affected population of the catastrophe.
- Residence for craftsmen, who belong to areas far away from Lahore.
Of course, one of the main objectives was also to motivate the urban population towards construction of more energy efficient houses. With the scarcity of energy in current times, this is an important objective for public as well as private application.
We must provide a platform for the students to start experimenting.
The illustration shows Sohni and Rani, who are explaining the functionality of alternative technology devices to each other.
Our main contribution here is to show the simultaneous use of the construction material mud in harmony with appropriate technology, which will be done in a playful manner in a workshop for children. We connect thereby entertainment and education. To achieve the purpose, among others, alternative energy is used to make cakes and hot chocolate for children.
The AFA (NGO), SPARC (NGO), FPAC, SES Bonn, as well as German Embassy supports the project.
Labels: SPARC, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:53 AM,
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