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| Information Dept indifferent to vital information | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 2: A researcher from Britain cracked a joke after visiting a vital wing of the state's Information department. "Surgeons need not worry about anesthesia in Jammu Kashmir. Just take the patient to the research and reference section of the information department at Srinagar. He will faint automatically", she said.
The joke did win the researcher a scornful look from an official of the said department but vindicated the statement of a young Srinagar based cartoonist who had recently visited the building and almost fainted.
Foul rather pungent smell emanating from soiled newspapers greet a visitor after he enters the all important building. "It is like entering a blind tunnel. There is no light. The electricity connection has been snapped for non-payment of tariff. You have to take a candle along to search for historical material. It is more or less a haunted place", he told Early Times.
Newspapers published from the state are stored in the section. This has been happening since this section came into being during Dogra rule. Surprisingly, the vital record has been left in a damp room where no precautions are taken to preserve the historical material. Even naphthalene balls have not been used to protect the material from insects.
The sordid tale does not end here. Rare books, historical documents, documentaries on culture and other aspects of the state are missing. No record or inventory is available with department.
The department had the distinction of capturing an important event of 1948. A documentary showing Jawahar Lal Nehru and Sher-e-Kashmir addressing people in the historical Lal Chowk. In the same documentary Sher-e-Kashmir is seen expressing his love for Nehru in Persian language. Man tou shudam tu man shudi (I became you and you became me). The documentary, according to insiders, is missing.
A retired official of the department and noted social worker, Zareef Ahmad Zareef expressed dismay over the state of affairs in section. "The department must take care to preserve whatever material is left in the section. Proper ventilation, effective lighting system and scientific preservation of the material must be the top priority of the Information Department", he said. He also suggested proper seating arrangement in the section. Pertinent to mention the section visited by scores of students of history has no seating arrangement.
Zareef also warned the officials against allowing researchers taking candles inside the section. "It is dangerous and God forbid may cause an accident", he said.
Repeated attempts to contact the director of the department went in vain. |
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