Keeping up with UP | 4,500 years of world history from the ground up

A pair of boots on display at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada, obviously evokes interest for one hailing from Uttar Pradesh, where chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s love for cows has propelled the state machinery to script welfare programmes for abandoned cattle, such as building sanctuaries and providing monetary assistance to Gau Sevaks — ₹50 per cow. Bharata takes the throne and to demonstrate his loyalty places Rama’s golden sandals on the throne and rules in his name until his exile is over.” An unusually high silver-coloured paduka from 18th century Jaipur, was likely worn by a woman for an important aristocratic occasion. The necklace on display was worn by a devotee on a pilgrimage to the Shrinathji temple at Nathdwara.” The ‘Shoes and Religion’ exhibition also references other faiths in noting how religious beliefs have impacted the form and function of footwear around the world. Intrigued by the traditional footwear of the places she visited, she began collecting examples that eventually inspired the creation of the Bata Shoe Foundation in 1979 to sponsor field research, support publishing and promote education.