Sir,
Reference rich tributes paid to Maharaja Gulab Singh in this paper on 22nd Oct. While paying tributes to the Maharaja, when almost all the speakers expressed their concern about the vanishing glory of Dogras, especially Mubarak Mandi Palaces, it needs to be appreciated by one and all. And it is further desired from this Birthday Celebration Committee, not to speak this once a year but follow their endeavour till these Royal Palaces are restored to their pristine glory and preserved properly.
At the same time, it was surprising to note that not a single speaker has asked for total handover of these palaces to ASI who is already maintaining 69 or so Heritage sites in J&K. Nor any one has uttered a single word against the Deptt. of Tourism or the MMHS under whose jurisdiction these palaces faced more destruction for the past few years. Nor even they demanded any enquiry against those officials who bulldozed the marole platform in the broad day light. Hence, if this exercise is only to reappear on the scene, which they have themselves left at the time of constructing a Five Star Hotel in the complex and which was opposed not on the roads but in the Legislature Assembly also, they should not befool the community time and again.
Yours etc…
Narsingh Dev Jamwal
Jammu