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| Poonch: Town Hall craves for restoration of lost glory | | |  Sushil Dutta
Early Times Report
RAJOURI, Nov 20: Poonch is having a unique place in the history of J&K as it houses many ancient monuments. But step motherly treatment of administration over the years has turned this monument into a garbage store. Famous monuments in Poonch like Town Hall and Bagh Deodi are losing their sheen. Although these monuments represent a unique architecture built during the Dogra rule, failure on part of the administration has raised a question mark over seriousness of administration to protect such monuments. The Town Hall building which was constructed several decades ago and witnessed all types of functions. The office of Municipality remained here for long time. Many musical programmes were organized in this hall. "After 1947, this historical building was misused and converted into a food store," locals said. "But in the 1970s, during his visit to the border town, then Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah ordered immediate shifting of food store to restore and maintain the past glory of the building.
For about four decades, the building remained in good condition. Early Times conducted an extensive survey to know the view of Poonchites about this heritage building and neglect on part of the district administration Poonch.
Prominent lawyer Sanjay Raina, said, "It's really a shame for us that we failed to preserve the glory of Town Hall Poonch. Many times I raised the issue with authorities including district administration and demanding repairing the building so as to restore its cultural importance. But nothing has been done so far. It is high time that administration must prepare a plan for perseverance of this ancient monument so that future generations would know about their cultural heritage."
Senior PDP leader and National Awardee Teacher, S. Amar Singh Josh, said, "I have witnessed many moments in this Town Hall and it's a part of our cultural heritage. This Town Hall is a symbol of communal harmony for us. But I feel sorry over the state of affairs."
Young lawyer Ronik Sharma, said, "Earlier the office of Municipality was in the Town Hall, but after earthquake of 2005, the administration shifted the office to air field road community hall and due to this, people are suffering at large as they have to travel a long distance for every work. I think this monument should be given top priority and after reshaping it, let the office of Municipality be shifted here again for the convenience of people of Poonch."
Pankaj Sharma while sharing his views, said, "On Poonch fort government has plan to spend crores of rupees to bring its lost glory back. But restoration of the Town Hall building should be their priority."
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