Classical music fiesta from today
The second Amritsar Heritage Festival will start with a flute recital by the renowned flutist, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, on November 18 at Khalsa College here. The Amritsar Heritage Society, in collaboration with the Indian National Trust of Art and Heritage (INTACH) and the support of the state government, has planned a rich musical treat. Pakistani Sufi singers, including Abida Parveen, and Gurbani and Shabad Kirtan artistes will enthral the audience during the six-day festival.

Collecting ‘many firsts’ of Sikh community is Prithipal’s passion
This man has a unique passion. Mr Prithipal Singh Tuli (65), a retired bank manager, is interested in collecting news clippings and pictures of Sikhs who created history by making world records in different fields. A man with a mission to highlight achievements of Sikhs among the younger generation, the retired bank manager has made large computer prints of clippings that he displays in exhibitions to draw attention to the rich achievements of the Sikh community.

Central Khalsa Orphanage to the rescue of children
The Central Khalsa Orphanage (CKO) being run by the Chief Khalsa Diwan is a home to 175 children, including 10 Nepalese, who were rendered homeless. It goes to the credit of the Chief Khalsa Diwan that the orphans are admitted to the orphanage without any consideration of caste or creed.

The centre runs a school for the visually challenged where music training is imparted to students

Crafting his way to Eiffel Tower
Crafting models of steam engines and military stations is his forte. Mr Baldev Singh Saggu, a resident of Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, was in the city recently in connection with the designing of Guru Ram Das “Bridh Ghar” (old age home) that is being built by the Vishvkarma Welfare Trust in the holy city. Mr Saggu uses wood, iron scrap, glass, gearboxes, old wires, broken toys to craft his models.

Baldev Singh Saggu with his model of Tower Bridge, London

Gol Bagh a haven for anti-social elements
More than half-a-century-old playground Gol Bagh, located opposite Durgiana Temple, has become a haven for anti-social elements and beggars. The deplorable condition of the playground belies the tall claims of the administration to keep the city clean and green. 


A garbage dump near the Gol Bagh playground

Nursery comes up on zoo land
The Municipal Corporation would soon open a nursery on the vacant land of mini zoo located inside the historic Ram Bagh gardens. Spread over 2.5 acres of area, the zoo had nearly 22 species of birds and animals, including stags, deer, bears, monkeys, crocodiles, otters. It was closed some seven years ago.


A view of the mini zoo located in Ram Bagh

Song of success
City lad makes to ‘Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa’ semi-finals
A city lad Vipul Mehta, student of class VIII of Senior Study II School, has reached the semi-finals of the famous singing show “Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa”, a television programme for the selection of promising budding singers. Vipul’s talent was noticed by one of the top music directors of Bollywood Pyarelal in a show in which he was in a panel of judges.

Nehru Complex falling into disrepair; Trust apathy alleged
Many heads are likely to roll following the powerful blast that occurred last Sunday evening in the posh Nehru Plaza Shopping Complex here. The blast that could be heard at distant places like Putlighar and Majitha Road areas is likely to put the improvement trust authorities in a piquant situation. A lone chowkidaar has been deputed for the security of the large complex comprising 380 shops.

Open water tanks on the roof of the complex overflow regularly causing seepage and damage to the structure

heritage festival
A Heritage Festival that doesn’t help save heritage 
Experts say lip service not enough; concerted efforts required
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

Archeologists have established that Amritsar district was a part of the vast area covered under the Indus Valley Civilisation during the early period of history. The evidence of this ancient civilisation, as discovered so far, has pointed out that the civilisation developed here even prior to the Aryan civilisation.

The gazetteer of the district records that during the Vedic period, the area now belonging to Amritsar district, was believed to have been the abode of many saints and sages. Though Amritsar also came under Greek influences for a brief period, traces of the footprints of Turk, Mughal, Lodhis, Mauryas, Khiljis and the Slave dynasties can be found in ancient and medieval history.

Most buildings in Old Amritsar are worth preserving for posterity. — Photos by Rajiv Sharma

Understandably, it is quite difficult to re-discover the ancient history due to the paucity of primary sources, which were probably difficult to preserve by the people who continuously faced foreign invasions from 712 A.D. However, the new generation will have to own up the blame for demolishing heritage sites spread over four centuries. The authorities concerned have failed to preserve the one-and-a-half-century-old Sikh art belonging to the time of the legendary Maharaja Ranjit Singh, what to talk of the heritage of Amritsar district since the beginning of the 16th century when Bhai Lehna (who later became the second Guru of the Sikhs), a resident of Khadoor Sahib (Amritsar), became a devoted follower of Guru Nanak Dev.

Earlier it was British, who not only renamed the historical buildings, but also demolished many sites on the pretext of modernity and development. Now, the local administration is involved.

It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who took keen interest in the development and beautification of Amritsar during his rule. He followed the Mughal pattern in laying out beautiful gardens and constructing beautiful buildings, including forts, most of them now on the brink of ruin. He got Sri Harimandir Sahib gold plated. This was how it received the name Golden Temple. It was at this time that the Sikh school of art got the much-needed patronage.

However, the successive state governments, including the Badal government that had promised to give governance on the pattern of “Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule” and the SGPC failed to preserve the invaluable art of Maharaja’s time. Amritsar looked like a fortified city in the days of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The fortification consisted of an immense rampart of earth and a wide ditch, apart from twelve gates, to save the town from foreign invasion. While most of the gates have been demolished, there is no trace of the ditch. Unmindful of their heritage value, most of the gates were pulled down in the past. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, many old buildings were replaced by “modern monuments” constructed by the British.

The Amritsar chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Culture (INTACH) has documented about 300 buildings in the walled city, most of which are facing slow-death due to indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned. Dr Sukhdev Singh, state convener of INTACH, expressed his apprehensions that many of these buildings would disappear if the state government failed to amend the law to preserve heritage sites.

The inventory of historical buildings, prepared by INTACH, is a pointer towards the indifferent attitude of all concerned. The 250-year-old SGPC-managed Gurdwara Lohgarh fort, constructed by the sixth Sikh master, Guru Hargobind, to secure the place from foreign attackers, was re-built with concrete structure due to indiscriminate repair done in 1997 through “Kar Sewa”. Its original design, however, was retained. The repair, carried out in 1995 with modern material, has also given a new look to the 350-year-old Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahal — the birthplace of Guru Arjun Dev. Nobody bothered to preserve the beautiful frescos of an ancient Shivala near Ghee Mandi.

Another temple of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s period — Shivala Noormahalian Da, having domes with floral pattern, is in private hands. Some of the mosques within the walled are not in good condition due to their poor maintenance. Dr Sukhdev Singh said there was a dire need to preserve buildings like Chitta Akhara, where frescos are still in better condition.

Against this backdrop, the Heritage Festivals are a welcome step. However, the experience of the previous festival showed that neither the state government nor the district administration bothered to take any measures for conservation of the heritage sites. The Heritage Walk, organised last year, should have been an eye-opener for all those interested in preserving heritage.

Mr Charanjit Singh Gumtala, former president of the Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM), alleges that the Deputy Commissioner had publicly promised during the previous Heritage Festival that no building more than 100 years old in the city would be “touched” but he recommended the demolition of 150-year-old Saragarhi Government Senior Secondary School in his capacity as Project Director, Golden Temple Beautification Project. In place of this government school, a multi-crore parking complex was to be constructed.

Ms Neeta Mohindra, a renowned artiste, says that it is a boon to have heritage festivals. However, during the previous festival, there was no mention of great novelists Nanak Singh, Gurbax Singh Preetladi and Thakur Singh, who hailed from the city. Holding such festivals would serve their purpose if local artistes are given chance to perform, she adds.

Earlier, due to lack of adequate provisions for preserving heritage buildings, many old buildings, including Temperance Hall, wher Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other freedom fighters used to hold meetings, had already been replaced by Pink Plaza.

The tehsil building, constructed in 1856, was pulled down. The portion of District Courts, constructed in 1876, has been demolished, while the rest of the building is in a dilapidated condition. The Victoria Jubilee Hospital ( now renamed as Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital) is on the “hit list” of PUDA, which has planned to construct a shopping plaza .The proposal of PUDA is in gross violation of the act, as this hospital is less than 100 mt from the protected Ram Bagh. The old Sant Ram Hospital, which was built in 1904, has already been demolished.

Now it is the turn of Town Hall school, a 156-year-old school. “Thandi Khuhi”, which finds mention in Punjabi literature, has been covered and “sales” are being organised there.

Historical gates like Ahluwalia Gate, Lohgarh Gate, Gilwali Gate have also been demolished . A haveli, belonging to the days of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was demolished recently, reportedly for constructing a shopping complex. This haveli is opposite Hindu College here. This is the second haveli to be demolished in the past few months. Earlier, one “Jainian di Haveli” situated at the “Chatkian wala Bazaar” in the walled city was demolished.

The old heritage haveli having frescos depicting Maharaja Ranjit Singh along with his courtiers holding a durbar, unique floral designs and patterns, different floor patterns, tiles and beautifully-carved wooden doors and windows — has also been lost. The walls of the haveli had a beautiful wall painting, which was white washed indiscriminately. The haveli also had unique elegant Japanese tiles. The “Mohrakashi technique” of frescos, stained glasses, carved wooden windows, floor patterns — all show that this building was a part of the heritage belonging to the British era.

In his report, “Re-inventing Amritsar heritage —Agenda for action”, Mr J.K. Gupta, a heritage expert, said that haphazard and unplanned development of the city over a period of time posed a serious threat to heritage. He added that Amritsar, growing from a small village to the status of the most vibrant city and metropolitan centre, had inherited enormous wealth of heritage.

The heritage pyramid of the city had been acknowledged with reverence not only within the state, but also all over the world. However, rapidly changing city profile, misuse of built space, uncontrolled traffic and unauthorised building activities had damaged the very sanctity of the heritage areas.

Mr Gumtala alleges that the district administration and the MC should be held responsible for the violation of the acts enacted for the conservation of the historical buildings. To substantiate his point, he quotes a letter of the Director, Cultural and Historical and Museum Department, written to Deputy Commissioner on July 8, 1999. The letter reads “You are well aware that whole of Ram Bagh has been declared as the protected monument, as per Government of Punjab’s notification number 1/14/97- TS /2051, dated October 10, 1997. Now, this garden is totally developed as per rules of historical monuments by the department…”

The letter also stated that was decided that no activity in this garden, including holding of marriage parties, political activities, would be conducted and no allotment would be made to any organisation. Besides, it was also decided that the clubs functioning in the Bagh would be closed and shifted to some other place. However, holding of marriage parties, political rallies and other functions there continued unabated. Interestingly, the venue of the Heritage Festival would also be the Bagh.

The Ram Bagh has a cluster of traditional buildings and canopies of traditional style. But due to the fast pace of modernisation being allowed, the Bagh is losing its original identity. Now, “Panorama”, in the name of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is fast coming up after de-notifying the area. This is in gross violation of the law. Surprisingly, this is being done even though a case is pending in the court.

The Supreme Court, in Rajiv Mankotia v/s Secretary to President of India, on March 27,1997, ruled, “ We direct Government of India to maintain all national monuments under the respective act and to ensure that all of them are properly maintained so that the cultural and historical heritage of India and its beauty and grandeur of the monuments, sculptures secured through breathless and passionate labour workmanship, craftsmanship and the skills of the Indian architects, artistes and masons is continued to be preserved. They are pride of Indians and places of public visit.” A question arises whether there is anybody to implement the ruling of the apex court in Amritsar city.

The significance attached to heritage sites of Amritsar could be gauged from the notification issued by Secretary, Local Government and Archeology, on November 17,1925. The notification reads, “Governor-in-Council is pleased to declare the ancient monuments specified here in below to be protected monuments to be maintained out of provisional revenue. Out of eight, two monuments are in Amritsar, including Gobindgarrh Fort and Ram Bagh Gate, while five other monuments are in Hisar and Gurgaon.”

Today, the Ram Bagh Gate has disappeared, while the Gobindgarh Fort is in dilapidated condition. Since the fort is in the possession of the Indian Army, even residents of the city cannot enter the building. 

 

‘Local artistes ignored’

It is good to have heritage festivals in cities, says Ms Neeta Mohindra, a noted artiste. “Last year, the festival was held in this city for the first time. The committee, which was formed to plan it, had proposed the names of some state-level artistes of Punjab. But finally, all artistes working in the state were ignored. There was no mention of Nanak Singh, Gurbaksh Singh Preetladi, Thakur Singh and many others, who had actually contributed to the development of culture in this predominantly agricultural town,” she says. She adds that local people should be involved in these festivals in more creative ways and not just for administrative purposes. There should be a “wise” selection of the local artistes; it should not be like distributing sweets to all.

Classical music fiesta from today
Ashok Sethi

The second Amritsar Heritage Festival will start with a flute recital by the renowned flutist, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, on November 18 at Khalsa College here. The Amritsar Heritage Society, in collaboration with the Indian National Trust of Art and Heritage (INTACH) and the support of the state government, has planned a rich musical treat. Pakistani Sufi singers, including Abida Parveen, and Gurbani and Shabad Kirtan artistes will enthral the audience during the six-day festival.

Giving details of the events, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Raminder Singh, said that the festival would be inaugurated with the procession of bhangra, giddha, gatka troupes. During the cultural evening, local artistes would showcase their talent. This would be followed by the rendition of classical vocal by Pandit Rajan Mishra and Pandit Sajan Mishra.

Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia is expected to render some of his best music in the evening. On November 19, a seminar on Amritsar heritage is being organised at the Guru Nanak Auditorium in Guru Nanak Dev University campus, where the President of the World Punjabi Council, Mr Fakhar Zaman, along with 200-member delegation from Pakistan, would participate to give an international edge to the festival. Begum Abida Parveen, who enjoys a great fan following in the country, has already confirmed her participation. She would render her Sufiana kalam on November 21.

Eminent vocalist Girija Devi would also be a part of the festival. Leading Odissi dancer Madhavi Mudgal would present her dance recital on November 20. There would be a sprinkling of pop music and fashion show. The fashion show would present the latest ethnic dresses designed by designers Harmeet Bajaj, Rana Gill and Anju Modi.

The last day has been fixed for a Punjabi opera “Wichhre Pani”, directed by Madanbala Sandhu. The grand finale would be Punjabi pop concert at the Guru Nanak Stadium. 

Collecting ‘many firsts’ of Sikh community is Prithipal’s passion
Pawan Kumar

This man has a unique passion. Mr Prithipal Singh Tuli (65), a retired bank manager, is interested in collecting news clippings and pictures of Sikhs who created history by making world records in different fields.

A man with a mission to highlight achievements of Sikhs among the younger generation, the retired bank manager has made large computer prints of clippings that he displays in exhibitions to draw attention to the rich achievements of the Sikh community.

Mr Tuli claims that in some fields like sports and science, Sikhs have surpassed others. Citing examples, he says that the first three world record holder pilots who landed and took-off from the world’s highest air fields were Sikhs. On May 24, 1948, Air Commander Baba Mehar Singh landed Decota Aircraft on the world’s highest Kachi Air Strip in Ladakh and flew Decota at the height of 24,000 feet, which was otherwise capable of flight up to the height of 12,000 feet.

Wing Commander Sadhu Singh Gill landed AN-12 Aircraft for the 1261st time at Leh, forming a record of maximum number of landings carried out by a military pilot in the world on the highest operational airfield. Group Captain Tajinder Pal Singh Chhatwal set a world record in July 1984 by landing a helicopter 42 times in a day on Siachen, world’s highest battlefield and got his name registered in the Guinness Book of World Records.

He claimed that the second Indian scholar after Swami Vivekananda (1893), who became president of the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago (1971), was a Sikh — Dr Sher Singh Sher. Dr Sher was awarded Padam Shri in March 1982.

The first Indian conqueror of Mount Everest from the Chinese side was Mr Mohinder Singh, who created history by climbing the peak in May 1996.

Mr Tuli claims that the father of fibre optics was a Sikh — Dr Narinder Singh Kapani. Mr Gurcharan Singh Randhawa was the first and only Indian to hold four national records in high jump, javelin throw, 110-metre hurdles and decathlon. He received president’s police medal and Arjun Award in 1961.

“Mr Milkha Singh, the only gold medal winner from India at the British Commonwealth Games, was a Sikh. Gulab Singh, alias ‘Golden’, who won 41 golds, six silver and three bronze medals in international veteran athletics was the first and only Indian to have won 50 international medals. He set four world records in international veteran athletic games,” explained Mr Tuli.

It took Mr Tuli over 45 years to collect the clippings. It involved extensive travelling and investment, he says. After retirement, he started to devote all his time to create awareness among youth about historic achievements of the Sikhs. He wanted Sikh organisations to come forward to preserve the invaluable knowledge about the community. He said it would enthuse them to do something for the sake of the country and the Sikh community.

Central Khalsa Orphanage to the rescue of children
Neeraj Bagga

The Central Khalsa Orphanage (CKO) being run by the Chief Khalsa Diwan is a home to 175 children, including 10 Nepalese, who were rendered homeless. It goes to the credit of the Chief Khalsa Diwan that the orphans are admitted to the orphanage without any consideration of caste or creed.

The orphanage has the credit of producing Shaheed Udham Singh, who remained there from 1907 to 1919. The orphanage, which started with one child brought from Sindh (Pakistan) by Harbans Singh Attari, celebrated its centenary last year. Besides Attari, other founders were Sunder Singh Majithia, Tarlochan Singh and Bhai Veer Singh. All of them were renowned educationists and philanthropists.

The Orphanage located at the G T Road near Puttali Ghar is spread over four acres of land. Mr Harinder Singh, Superintendent of the CKO, said that as per the constitution of the orphanage, only children above six years of age were admitted. He said it was mandatory for every inmate to attain education up to matriculation. For this, the orphanage had a school till class V. Mr Harinder Singh said that after matriculation, those students who fulfilled the minimum eligibility criteria of the school, were allowed to continue their studies. All expenditure was borne by the CKO.

He said the CKO received about Rs one crore annually from donations and other sources. This amount was spent in the overall development of the students. The centre also runs a school for the visually challenged, for which it has recruited three teachers.

Besides academics, the students are taught musical instruments and shabad kirtans. Musical instruments like tabla, harmonium, dilruba, sitar are taught to the students.

The centre has a garden, a children’s park and volleyball and basketball grounds. This institution gave the Sikh community eminent ragis like Bhai Santa Singh, Bhai Gopal Singh, Bhai Gurmej Singh, Singh Sahib Bhai Fateh. Other alumni of repute include musician Dalip Chander Bedi and Principal S. S. Amol. Most of the students of the centre, however, end up becoming raagis, kirtaniyas and preachers. Conceding this, the superintendent said that nearly 90 per cent students of the centre were oriented towards kirtans and preaching. 

Crafting his way to Eiffel Tower
Pawan Kumar

Crafting models of steam engines and military stations is his forte. Mr Baldev Singh Saggu, a resident of Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, was in the city recently in connection with the designing of Guru Ram Das “Bridh Ghar” (old age home) that is being built by the Vishvkarma Welfare Trust in the holy city.

Mr Saggu uses wood, iron scrap, glass, gearboxes, old wires, broken toys to craft his models. He has crafted the models of Eiffel Tower, London Tower Bridge, Hemkunt Sahib, Jurassic Park and natural landscapes. These models caught the attention of Vice-President, Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who was so impressed that took home the model of Hemkunt Sahib.

This artist is a product of Government Senior Secondary School, Hanumangarh. He says he employs a computer for creating the designs. He plans to build models of the Golden Temple and various religious and historical places.

Each model takes three to four months to complete. He puts in eight hours of work daily. The task requires complete focus, concentration and accurate design measurements, he says.

The seven-foot-long model of the London Bridge is 25 inches in height. There is a system to operate lights and even opening and closing of the connecting bridge between two towers, like the original. It took Mr Saggu three months to make the Eiffel Tower, which is a three-foot model fitted with power-operated lifts and lighting system. Later, he even made models of the Jurassic Park. He donated another model of Hemkunt Sahib to a local Gurdwara in Hanumangarh.

A science student, he gives the credit for his extraordinary skills to the Almighty “Waheguru” and the support of his “loving” family. His hobbies include painting, drawing and sketching.

He rues that no organisation has come forward to support him in his artistic endeavours. However, he continues to be in touch with art lovers in India and abroad through Internet. Refusing to sell his art, he prefers it to be exhibited in reputed galleries.

Gol Bagh a haven for anti-social elements
Neeraj Bagga

More than half-a-century-old playground Gol Bagh, located opposite Durgiana Temple, has become a haven for anti-social elements and beggars. The deplorable condition of the playground belies the tall claims of the administration to keep the city clean and green. The vacant land has drawn beggars, anti-social elements, rag pickers to encroach upon it. Some of them have even raised shanties inside it.

The problem started more than three years ago with the decision of the district authorities to transform the playground into a park. This spelled doom for children, particularly those from the walled city. As it was the only playground located near the walled city, the children were deprived of a place where they could play.

The proposal to turn the playground into a park also spelled doom for the cricket team of the Merchant Cricket Club (MCC) that has been active there for the past several decades. Now its members have only cards to play with and the cricket team has become a thing of the past. Mr Lajpat Rai Kochar, general secretary of the club, said there used to be over 22 players in the team but it was now a matter of the past.

The irony is that till date the proposal to set up a park has not been given a practical shape. More than three years have passed since the construction of the boundary wall and the platform, and still there is no trace of the much-touted park.

Mr K. S. Kang, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, admitted that the Gol Bagh had become a haven for beggars and anti-social elements. However, he added, that the work on the project would be started as soon as they received the funds for it. The job of controlling the entry of the anti-social elements did not come under his purview, he claimed.

Ms Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, former BJP MLA, said that she had given Rs 25 lakh for turning the playground into a park during her tenure. However, with the change of government, the allocated funds were held back owing to the financial crunch faced by the state.

She added that the Gol Bagh should be turned into a park. A few gardens located around the walled city did not attract visitors, as they were located adjacent to the ganda nullah (drain). She said the Gol Bagh must be developed into a beautiful park and that Dusehra ground located near Durgiana Temple could be used as a playground.

Nursery comes up on zoo land
Neeraj Bagga

The Municipal Corporation would soon open a nursery on the vacant land of mini zoo located inside the historic Ram Bagh gardens. Spread over 2.5 acres of area, the zoo had nearly 22 species of birds and animals, including stags, deer, bears, monkeys, crocodiles, otters. It was closed some seven years ago.

It was the only zoo in the entire district, and it used to draw a number of visitors, especially children. Besides, several vendors would sell eatables and toys. The wildlife lovers are of the view that it was a prudent decision by the government to close the zoo keeping in view the small space there.

According to an order of the Parliament, keeping in view the Indian wild life act, 66 mini zoos, including the local one and seven small zoos across the country, were closed in 1997. According to the MC officials, all animals and birds had been shifted to Chattbir zoo.

Meanwhile, efforts are on for the setting up of a nursery there. Mr Jaswinder Singh Bilga, Executive Engineer, Horticulture, said they were collecting cuttings of various plants from different places of the city. He said in the absence of funds, the department was carrying out the task by plucking the cuttings and developing them into saplings. 

Song of success
City lad makes to ‘Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa’ semi-finals
Neeraj Bagga

A city lad Vipul Mehta, student of class VIII of Senior Study II School, has reached the semi-finals of the famous singing show “Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa”, a television programme for the selection of promising budding singers.

Vipul’s talent was noticed by one of the top music directors of Bollywood Pyarelal in a show in which he was in a panel of judges. Later, the music director offered to take him along with his team in a show to be held in Dubai next year.

Usha Mangeshkar was one of the judges in the first stage of the TV show. She described his singing as “listening to a music record”. She also added that his voice reflected the Punjabi culture.

Vipul has won a number of awards for his “golden voice”. He clinched the first position in the All-India Rafi Award this year. Earlier, in the past two years, he was a runner up. He also got the opportunity to sing in music shows like Swar Swangam Kala, Delhi, and Harvallabh Music Festival, Jalandhar.

He began learning music at a tender age. His father, Mr Mukesh Mehta, a jeweller by profession, groomed him to become a singer. A votary of classical music and ghazals, he is surprisingly different from his peers, who are crazy about pop music. He considers Mohammad Rafi, also born in this district, as his inspiration. He makes it a point to sing the songs of Mohammad Rafi in all music contests he participates.

This aspiring professional singer dreams of making it big in playback singing. He has the full support of his parents in this. “I desire to train my son under Pandit Askaran Sharma, a noted classical singer staying in Mumbai,” says his father. Well, this singer and his parents do have big dreams! 

Nehru Complex falling into disrepair; Trust apathy alleged
Rashmi Talwar

Many heads are likely to roll following the powerful blast that occurred last Sunday evening in the posh Nehru Plaza Shopping Complex here. The blast that could be heard at distant places like Putlighar and Majitha Road areas is likely to put the improvement trust authorities in a piquant situation. A lone chowkidaar has been deputed for the security of the large complex comprising 380 shops. 

This is likely to affect the auction of 17 shops. The auction, as scheduled by the improvement trust for December 6, was expected to garner crores.

Meanwhile, the posh complex constructed at the cost of Rs 12 crore  in 1996 is fast falling into disrepair. Decay has set in, thanks to the apathy of the improvement trust authorities.

Out of a total of 380 shops in the entire complex, 50 shops on the top floor  have remained unsold since the past seven years. The blast occurred near this unsold portion. 

The four-storey structure presents a rather unpleasant sight. It is damp and the peeling away of paint has already started. Moreover, most of the dividing walls are wafer-thin. This causes cracks in the walls whenever any repair work is done in adjoining shops.

The reasons for the early decay of the building include the alleged use of sub-standard materials. Water tanks with missing lids overflow due to blockage and faulty filling system. This causes humidity that eats away at the structural cohesion. Inefficient sewerage with narrow pipes is causing structural rot here.

The absences of proper drainage at any of the verandahs of the upper floors causes accumulation of water even during minor showers or cleansing operations, as water enters shops and offices. Owing to this, the upper-storey shops are fast decaying. The non-operational lifts further compound the problem. Prospective buyers are rapidly losing interest in these shops, even as “easy” sale and rent conditions were introduced earlier by the former Chairman of Improvement Trust, Mr Bakshi Ram Arora.

The complex is fast earning the sobriquet of the “dirtiest shopping plaza”. Despite five or six sweepers deputed for its cleaning, garbage lies strewn about here. Staircases reek of urine and litter, and the walls are stained with “paan”.

Bathrooms here stink. Missing commodes, taps, washbasins, lights, locks and even windows presents a pathetic sight. Absence of proper lighting system has made the unsold area a haven for anti-social elements at night.

According to Improvement Trust Chairman, Mr Jugal Kishore Sharma, the shoppers’ association here was asked to hire sweepers on contract.

He added that lights would be installed soon.

However, the problems don’t stop at this.

The complex water supply is erratic and allegedly contaminated. Garbage dumps have erupted around rear walls of the complex, breeding termites and vermin, including rats.

The parking space, too, needs much to be done. The growth of trees like banyan, and wild grass on the building’s terrace remains unchecked.