 Abodh Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 10: At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan across the country, underlining the Gandhian philosophy that has cleanliness as its essential component, it is ironical that Gandhi Bhawan, a memorial of father of nation in Jammu is in appalling condition, untouched by the ongoing country wide cleanliness drive.
The huge building, situated just adjacent to the civil secretariat in Jammu is facing apathy, neglect and indifference not only of the government but social and political groups which flaunt their allegiance with Gandhiji and call themselves his exponents. These organizations, including Congress party have huge funds at their disposal, but are insensitive to the deplorable condition of Gandhi Bhawan, which has a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at its very face.
Once reverberating with political and social activity, the building today is dying a slow death. The entrance, the compound, the corridors, the flours and the ceiling are all crying for immediate attention, but despite being situated in the immediate neighborhood of the civil secretariat, successive government have only expedited the process of its decay. "When the capital shifts to Jammu in winters, the compound of Gandhi Bhawan becomes parking place for the security and escort vehicles of the ministers and even a urinal and tuck shop come up to cater to the needs of the PSO and drivers of the VIPs" informed vinod Gupta, a local. "It is a pity that Congress partnered governments have ruled the state for years and there have been Chief Ministers and Dy Chief Ministers from Congress, yet no one has ever spared a thought to the decaying Gandhi Bhawan located next door" he added. "Number of self proclaimed Gandhians have been receiving huge funds in the name of Gandhi ji, but they rarely enter Gandhi Bhawan despite shuttling in the corridors of power in the secretariat around the year" he added further.
Gandhi Bhawan also houses a retail outlet of Khadi Gramodyog that sells indigenous and swadeshi products, but it has few clients as the building remains cut off for civilian movement for six months every year. The outlet is now fighting a losing battle of survival just the building it is housed in. Many feel that such neglect and indifference towards the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi is a disgrace and disregard to the father of the nation. |
