MUBARAK MANDI, OUR HERITAGE, IN PERIL
The recent debate surrounding the restoration and reuse of the Mubarak Mandi Dogra Heritage Complex has raised concerns about the preservation of this historical site. It is essential to delve into the issue and find a solution that ensures the conservation of this heritage complex for future generations.
There is no denying the fact that the Mubarak Mandi Complex was in a state of disrepair. The buildings were crumbling, rainwater was seeping through the beautiful ceilings, and there were frequent fires. One such fire nearly destroyed the Tosha Khana, leading to the artifacts being moved to the New Secretariat for safekeeping until the restoration of Tosha Khana and a suitable place for their display became available.
It is worth noting that it was Sh. Gulchain Singh Charak, a member of the civil society at the time, who took up the cause of preserving the complex over 20 years ago. Through his efforts, the complex garnered attention and was eventually taken up for restoration when he joined the State Cabinet. He diligently worked towards gaining support from all quarters to shape it for the people of Jammu and the state. Consequently, a society was registered on December 28, 2006, with the Chief Minister, Sh. Ghulam Nabi Azad, as its Chairman and Sh. Gulchain Singh Charak as the Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee for five years until December 2011. The Society consists of government officials and non-official members from the civil society and technical backgrounds.
It is important to note that the decision regarding the heritage hotel and the Expression of Interest (EOI) was made after thorough discussion and approval in the Governing Body cum Review Meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Sh. Omar Abdullah, on January 11, 2010. Only one member, Narsingh Dev Jamwal, opposed the proposal, and it was consciously decided by an overwhelming majority of the Governing Body without any dissenting note.
Subsequently, an advertisement was published, triggering the current debate and remarks in the legislature. However, the Chairman of the Executive Committee has clarified the statements through press briefings and meetings with the civil society, Chambers of Commerce, and the Bar Association of Jammu. These explanations have satisfied the concerned parties, and they have supported the views contained in the minutes of the Governing Body Meeting held on January 11, 2010.
It is important to recognize that the restoration of the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex is a monumental task that requires tremendous efforts. It must be acknowledged that significant work has been undertaken quietly, without much publicity. However, as Dogras, we do not boast about our achievements. If anything, we tend to understate them, which is not necessarily a negative trait as it encourages us to strive for excellence in every endeavour. This trait is evident in the military achievements of the Dogras, from Maharaja Gulab Singh to Brig Rajinder Singh, who saved the state. Unfortunately, their accomplishments are often overlooked in history. Admittedly, the Governing Body and the Executive Committee have not been able to communicate effectively to the public the extent of work completed and the reasons behind various actions. If provided with detailed information, the people would understand and support the Society for its efforts.
If some individuals believe that certain aspects need reconsideration, they can always be discussed within the Governing Body, which comprises eminent individuals who have been carefully selected. Our concern is that, given the massive scale and technical nature of the Mubarak Mandi restoration project, no action should be taken that might damage or delay its execution. It is unfortunate that interrupting such projects often leads to further delays, sometimes compromising the size and scope of the project.
Often, societies are unaware of the challenges associated with large-scale and technical projects. At times, vested interests of a few can dominate the discourse, to the detriment of the society at large. Unfortunately, it is usually too late to rectify the situation. As a responsible member of the Governing and Executive Committees, I am deeply concerned about preserving heritage in all its forms, whether it is Balidan Satambh near Bahu Fort, Gen Zorawar Singh and Brig Rajinder Singh Auditoriums at Jammu University, or their statues, including the War Memorial in Satwari. I am aware of the difficulties involved in establishing and maintaining such landmarks. It is easy to criticize, but we seldom contribute to the actual work.
In conclusion, if we cannot actively contribute to an institution’s creation, we should refrain from creating obstacles. Instead, we should entrust the decision-making to the Governing Body, which possesses the knowledge of the facts and real challenges that are not necessarily known to the civil society. The civil society should focus on urging the government to ensure that the restoration of the complex proceeds without delay. It should be noted that, currently, the entire funding for the project comes from the Government of India, with no contributions from the civil society.