Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Jan 25: The State Government in another instance of its Kashmir centric approach has approached the centre to partially funding Tehzeeb Mahal, a cultural centre in Srinagar, to be constructed at the cost of Rs 65 crores.
The Cultural Secretary had held discussion with the Union Under Secretary in this regard at New Delhi, who had asked the State to submit the detailed project from the State.
The Tehzeeb Mahal, conceptualized in 1970, though planned to showcase the cultural history of the State, had no such thing as per the plan prepared by the Government.
The Mahal will have showcase and will have special architectural finishes in tune with local heritage-Kashmiri heritage- architecture including maharaji bricks, deji dewari look, devri stone cladding, khatamband ceiling, pinjra and jaffri work, paper machie and sozni work on walls and log bridge and heritage fort wall.
These though, have their place, but a centre symbolizing the culture of the entire State can't be exclusive domain of just one region. The Government by this plan is giving a strong indication that it will continue to strengthen the hegemony of Kashmir, even in the field of the culture.
The Centre, shouldn't approve such a scheme of thing, which is not inclusive and more than that an advantage is being given at the expense of the other regions.
Abhinav Theatre, is clamouring for funds for repair. The theater is just limited for performing arts and doesn't have an infrastructure where culture of the State can be depicted.
The Government should have also proposed the upgrading of this cultural centre. But, it didn't do and the Jammu is made to be satisfied with just one small cultural centre whose land is also being given way for making a fly-over.
The Central assistance or getting a plan under national project has always been limited to Kashmir, as Mughal road and now tunnel at Sinthan pass are only aimed for connecting Kashmir, though they have different political connotations.
A centre in Jammu on the line of SKICC is hanging in balance of years. The stadium in the centre of the city, one of the biggest in the north-India, has been relegated as non-useful entity. With normalcy returning, the Government it seems, is acting in vengeance to get back all best things n Kashmir, as it used to do before '90s. Jammu got developed only in this tenure. However, the times and politics have changed, and 2008 agitation is pointer of how much times have changed if the sensitivity of the Jammu is pricked or challenged. |
