Th. Gulchain Singh Charak-Former Minister, President Dogra Sadar Sabha, Member Governing body & Former V/Chairman Jammu Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society addressing the press conference said today the 1st of September, 2016 that the Mubarak Mandi complex in Jammu located at the crown of this ancient town is not only a historical monument of archeological value to attract the curious tourists, it denotes the very pride of Dogras and symbolizes the great culture of secular love lore, of folk songs and music, of gallant warriors and artists and a very amicable, noble social order that grew under the umbrella of its rulers.
It is only unfortunate that this great insignia of a race that nurtured here with a lamb and a tiger drinking water together is subjected to a systematic perish. The remnants of the great monument are in shambles, reduced to debris.
It is pathetic to see how this most precious heritage Mubarak Mandi complex is dilapidated in bad shape and the precious historical buildings and other monuments are being destroyed in a planned manner by ravages of apathy and indifference by an insensitive political leadership and equally defunct administrative machinery too busy in their self centered attitude. It is like administering a painful slow death by neglect to a culture, to a human race and to the pride history of the region.
Nothing is being done to save this Dogra heritage of Jammu region, from the incessant rains. The most valuable, important rare artifacts, books and other valuable articles and more than eight lakhs files are stored in unsafe conditions of ruins under leaking roof and covered by a shattered tarpaulin cloth. It is good that despite the disturbed conditions in the valley Hon’ble CM found time to preside over meeting concerning Heritage & Culture of Jammu region. The people of Jammu region appreciate her praises and utterances about the prestigious heritage. The entire Agenda could not be discussed in the recent meeting of the Governing body, hence another meeting of Governing body is required with proper preparation and the responsibilities for the lapses fixed. It appears that we have damaged more than restored in 10 yrs.
At this rate we might soon find buildings collapsing. We should first discuss how to protect the total site from further deterioration and sudden collapse or crumbling of any structure.
We offer the following suggestions for immediate action for works to be done on priority:-
- As an immediate step, stop the seepagein the palaces to arrest further damage.
- To save Maharani Charaki and other palaces/buildings by giving temporary supports, restoration and reconstruction.
- Immediate strengthening of slopes on the backside that may cave in any day.
- To constitute enquiry committee about the ruinof Darbar-e-Aam.
- Immediate repair of the museum building that is badly seeping and most precious artifacts and other items of the museum are decaying.
- To clean the whole complex to save the same from further deterioration.
- To immediately shift the archivesin the old information building after giving the proper treatment against termites.
- To strictly stop all kind of parkings in the complex.
- To complete erstwhile army HQand make it functional as per its reuse plan.
- To get the white paperprepared about the happenings and occurrences in the complex so far, before re-starting the work under the new Chairperson ( present CM).
- To remove unconstitutional decisions taken in respect of the Governing and Executive body.
- A sub-committee be constituted for physical verification of Archives, Tosha-Khana, Libraryand Museum and also to check the inventories.
- Technical committee be revived for efficacy and functional output.
- Members having the knowledge of this precious heritage be inducted in the Governing as well as Executive committee as per byelaws of the Society.
- Election for the vice-chairman of Governing body who is also the Chairman of the executive Committee be conducted.
- A Sub-committee of five members of the Governing body (Official and Non-official) be constituted to go through the implementation of all the important decisions taken in all the meetings of Governing body.
- To entrust the work of the different units of heritage to the recognized agencies working for the purpose at National and Inter-national Level.
There is no doubt for such a major restoration work funds are required. We find large sums are being made available for worthwhile projects. Mubarak Mandi can also start generating funds immediately if it is put on a tourist map as it is while restoration pursued vigorously in a time bound manner through multi agencies. The stabilization of the river side slopes must be done immediately and all the vulnerable structures protected from rain.
Priority must be given to beautify the internal courtyard as first tourist attraction in Jammu. The Gandola project initially planned to connect Mubarak Mandi with Bahu- Fort and Maha Maya temple be completed unaltered by bringing it to near the Mubarak Mandi complex.
There is a formal autonomous Governing body delegated to oversee the restoration of Mubarak Mandi. It has used only about 5 per cent of the estimated amount of Rs 235 Cr in 8 years. Balance of money of the funds released has been surrendered. This is the degree of non- functioning, lethargy, inefficiency and or a game of deceit played on the Jammu region. The Sabha strongly condemns this attitude of indifference to Jammu region and requests the Government to release funds and save the precious records and structures before these are lost forever. The seriousness can be gauged from the fact that the Executive Committee held 70 meetings in the first five years and met only thrice in the next five years under the changed office bearers. The Governing body that should have met at least 20 times in 10 years, which has met only seven times in that period.
It is strongly recommended that the restoration work be undertaken on war footing without any further loss of time. Each day is adding to its ruin and damages increasing. An immediate meeting of the Governing body must be called within a fortnight, to save this symbol of Dogra entity.
The office bearers who expressed their views included Maj. Gen G. S Jamwal (Retd.)-Member Governing body JMMHS, Prof N. K Dogra-Sr. V/C President DSS, Col. K. S Jamwal (Retd.)- V/C DSS, Brig. M. S Jamwal (Retd.), Sh. Gambhir Dev Singh- I/C Youth wing DSS, & Dr. Col Virendra K Sahi (Retd.)- Media Cell DSS.
Press Secretary,
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