Narsingh Dev Jamwal
Since last few years, while commemorating World Heritage Day for celebrating Jammu Festival, the month of April provides a good chance for Mubarak Mandi to become the talk of the town. From street Cafes to Seminar Halls or through Print/Electronic media, every body is seen discussing the fate of this complex in his own way and the understanding. Last touch was the one day seminar on 30th April ‘ 2014 by J&K Cultural Academy.
Going through the writings in Daily Excelsior, an article titled ‘Lack of vision stalling Mubarak Mandi restoration’ by Lalit Gupta (DE April 20, 2014) was more informative, even updated which inspired me to write on this issue after a long time.
Actually, it is not a lack of vision, but two visions quite contradictory to each other, thus creating hurdles in the restoration work. The first, rightly emphasised by the then CM (in 2007) that ‘preserving the pristine glory of this prestigeous monument is to preserve our own history and the culture. And the second came to light in the very first meeting of MMJHS governing body headed by the same CM that, ‘this complex of royal places will be converted into a heritage/cultural tourist detination’. This was strongly opposed by some members who suggested its handing over to ASI for proper conservation/preservation. All this went unheard.
Their first attempt to carry on restoration work through R&B Engineers received a big jolt, when experts from all over India were invited to express their views on the work done so far and advise further course of action. They unanimously disapproved the whole show and advised immediate stop on such an exercise. Hence to pacify further criticism, ASI was involved to restore High Court building and that too an contractual basis.
Second attempt was more destructive. The floating of tenders for the construction of a Heritage Hotel at the site of Rani Charki Palace and Toshakhana etc. This action not only rocked the State Assembly but a strong protest from Jammuites flooded the city streets upto Governor House. Conseqently, the new CM decided to shelve the whole show for the time being and the resignation of Vice-Chairman who was also the President of the Society brought all activities to a stand still position. However, ASI carried on the restoration work at High Court building. They finished their job about few years back. And as it is said, this building is still waiting its utilisation. And due to non-maintenance has again developed tree growth on its roofs and very soon will return to its pre-restoration stage. On the other hand they have put the Engineers of Civil Construction Div. of Tourism Deptt. to experiment their skill on another building of this complex. Only good luck to these historical places is that the Ropeway project on genuine technical grounds has been shifted to Peer Khoh, quite against their wishes and they are still lamenting that this will badly effect the flow of tourists to Mubarak Mandi.
Rightly said ‘Chhutati nahin hai kafir munh se lagi hui’, noticing a sort of silence from their critics, and the winds a little bit to their favour, they have again come to the front with their sleeves-up. Their visit to Rajasthan (DE May 3, 2014) to have a list of Consultants/Executive Agencies, who like Intach could help them achieve their goal without any hurdle, is sufficient to prove, how much they are/stick to their second vision, but to befool the common man with a news head ‘Pristine glory of Mubarak Mandi to be restored. “Hardly any justification, that when ASI or the Dept. of State Archives and Museums are at our disposal or when they are already conserving/preserving 69 and 39 big and small declared protected monuments in J&K, or when ASI in particular conserved the High Court, building of this complex and we still want them to take up the restoration work of main Deodhi and the Gadvi Khana, why cannot we hand over the whole project to ASI, in case there is no personal interest or malafide intention. Handing over of this complex will further relieve us all kinds of responsibilities/accountabilities too. Why un-necessary visits to other States in search of Consultants or the Executive Agencies.
No doubt it is difficult for them to keep away their hands from this project at this stage. A very tough situation, like a snake with lizard in his mouth : swallow or spit away both ways harmful. They have obtained financial grants from the Centre under Mega Tourist project or Finance Commission Award to enhance tourism. And if accountability exists, they have to justify it by converting this site into Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes Craft Bazars and other industrial centres etc to call it a heritage tourist destination. Whereas, they have to satisfy the Jammuites that pristine glory of this sacred monument is being or has been restored. No body can deny the facts that these protected monuments in accordance to their historical or monumental importance invite tourists, but at the same time there is separate department to conserve and preserve these monuments for the tourists. One should not forget that when ASI is competent in all respects to restore such monuments and we are approaching again and again to them for restoration work, the DRPs are being prepared by INTACH, which means a seperate expenditure for the works being executed through ASI. Few months back, they came up boldly that we do not need any suggestion or technical advise from outsiders. Hence, how much so far have been paid to INTACH or expended by R&B Engineers or now by civil constructions Div of Tourism Dept with no results on ground, Mr Gupta have somehow ignored this fact to enlighten the readers. He seems to be a bit critical to the working of MMJHS and puts a cross mark on these Engineers who do not have any experience of architectural conservation or suggests the shifting of ASI office to MM Complex and a full time Executive Director, neither suit or not of any use to State Govt/MMJHS. He himself knows that from the very first day they have sidelined ASI and a ful-fledged Directorate of Archieves and Museums, and are still trying to spot local Consultants/Executive Agencies like INTACH who could help them converting this historical monument into a Tourist Destination. Creation of a technical cadre of talented local youth trained in the field of architecture conservation etc. is good but it is needed to strengthen and modernise the exist Ind Dept of Archives and Museums to serve as a conservation wing for Mubarak Mandi, not to please their bosses in the society to convert it into a tourist destination. And when he himself believes that this complex have the potential of World Heritage Monument, he places himself on the cross road, bit confused to end his article with a note’ to revamp the working of MMJHS so that Mubarak Mandi is restored to its pristine glory and it emerges a unique destination for cultural heritage tourism’ . Let me quote here the words of NN Vohra Governor J&K that ‘These historical assets are required to be conserved not only for the cultural tourism but as a irreplaceable land mark of our rich heritage.’
To sum up, the callous attitude of State Govt is well known to the Jammuites since they took over these palaces in 1948-49. Nothing surprising if their brain child the existing MMJHS is bent upon converting the Mubarak Mandi into a Business Centre/Parking House under the guise of Cultural Heritage Tourism. But it is a must for all sincere Dogras, irrespective of cast and creed to know why ASI and the Dept. of State Archives are kept out of this project only, and instead a free hand is given to Local Agencies/NGOs. Why in western countries, such sites and objects of heritage have been converted into Museums or why can’t we raise our own cultural fund to inculcate the sence of preserving heritage as a part of our pride. (DE April 20, 2014 History through Heritage). Why the Britishers created a specific authority, namely ASI nearly 150 years ago for the conservation/preservation of all important sites/monuments in India. (DE April 19, 2014- Dogra Heritage Sites). What is happening to Heritage, what Heritage means to me or what I can do for Heritage (DE April 18, 2014- Commemoration of Heritage). Why our neighbourer the Nepalees people Govt after taking over the royal Palaces, a few years back, declared them National Heritage, there and then. And only a week ago why the Bangladesh Supreme Court directed the Govt to get vacated the house of Suchitra Sen (once a shining star of Indian cinema) and maintan as a museum. And finally when the total funding is being done by the Centre and their competent agency, ASI have its Circle office in Jammu, and also their services are being utilised on contractual basis to achieve the desired results, why MMJHS,other local agencies or in/outside NGOs be given free hand to play with the monuments of Historical and cultural importance, like Mubarak Mandi.
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