The sun-dial clock near Doraha

Ever seen a 122-year-old clock? Especially, one which is built in stone and is mounted on a pedestal with only one iron hand that tells the time but does not make any ticking sound? Moreover, its running does not demand a penny. There is no need to wind its key or energise it with cells. And, it is completely water-proof!

Visit the old Canal Rest House near Doraha along the Sidhwan canal to see this treasure lying in wilderness. The wonder piece, known as the sun-dial clock, is installed in the lush green lawns of the rest house. It has defied the onslaught of elements to keep ticking, figuratively speaking.

Unfortunately, very few people in the region are aware of its existence. The canal authorities have not done much to publicise the treasure they hold in the rest house. The credit of preserving the clock goes to some guards of the rest house and villagers living nearby, who take pride in showing the relic to visitors.

Harnek Rampuri, a literary figure of the region, who lives close to the rest house, is pained that little has been done to preserve the antique clock. ‘‘I keep visiting the place to see whether it is safe or not,’’ he said. Praising the marvel, he says the government must beautify the place and publicise it so that the tourists to the state could take a look at the awesome piece of yore.

The inscription on the pedestal says that it was made by a British officer, R.G.Kennedy, in 1878. The clock was shifted to Doraha in 1928. The inscription does not mention where the clock was initially installed. It works with the rays of the sun. Not to be confused with solar energy, the clock or rather the iron hand requires only sunlight to fall on it. Then the hand throws a shadow on a parallelogram-shaped dial of the clock which has been numbered from one to twelve.

To read the time, one has to be a bit of a mathematician. One has to add 26 minutes to the time shown by the shadow of the iron hand falling on the dial. After this, one has to make another complicated series of subtractions and additions given in a table engraved beside the clock .The table tells what to add or subtract on different days and months of the year. After this 'little' effort, one arrives at the right time.

The clock has a few drawbacks as well: it can tell the time only when there is sunlight. It is 'dead' during the night or when the sun is covered by clouds.

Though the clock is still in good condition, it faces the threat of being stolen. Either the rest house should be turned into a tourist spot or the clock should be taken to a museum.