Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 13: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today formally launched “Save Chandni Chowk, Save Heritage” campaign which has been conceived and spearheaded by Rajya Sabha MP, former Union Minister and senior Delhi based BJP leader Vijay Goel.
The highlight of the event was a marathon run which began from the entrance of Jama Masjid and passed through streets crossing Gurudwara Sis Ganj, 150 year old Town Hall and other landmark points. Local residents of all age groups from Chandni Chowk and surrounding localities participated in the marathon. Also present on the occasion were Delhi Mayor Ravindra Gupta and Municipal Commissioner MP Gupta.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said, if Delhi is the capital of India, Chandni Chowk is the nucleus of Delhi. He said, the real and original Delhi lives in Chandni Chowk which is an epitome of India’s real composite heritage personified by historic monuments from Mughal era and British Raj.
Lauding the initiative taken by Vijay Goel, Dr Jitendra Singh said, centuries old structures of Chandni Chowk, including Mirza Ghalib’s Haveli and Zeenat Mahal, though being in ruins today, still vibrate with the poetry and legacy of composite culture, which was the glory of Delhi. Initiative to restore Chandni Chowk to its pristine glory is a contribution for which Vijay Goel and his colleagues will be remembered for long time to come.
Dr Jitendra Singh made an appeal that if each one of us chooses to preserve and maintain at least one ancient monument each in whatever part of the country we live, this will be a contribution which will outlive our contribution in the field of our chosen profession or public life. He regretted that old Delhi, which was once famous for its majestic streets, is today dreaded by outsiders and visitors, precisely because these streets are totally choked and blocked by Rickshaws, Rehris and encroachments.
Vijay Goel, in his speech, appreciated the cooperation rendered by the Mayor and the Municipal Commissioner in the removal of encroachments from rooftops which had made it difficult to enter the area. He pleaded that, very soon, he along with his group of “Save India Heritage” will restore Chandni Chowk to its past glory and the trend of residents shifting from old Delhi to New Delhi will get reversed and this will become the most beautiful destination in Delhi.
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