STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Toshakhana Mubrak Mandi, one of the oldest heritage building, on Monday collapsed in the incessant rains which lashed the city few days back. Notwithstanding grandiose announcements on many public platforms and official press releases issued from time-to-time by the political bigwigs about the restoration of the complex, the collapsed building has put a question mark on the State Government’s mindless planning and lack of vision for capacity building in preserving one of the major architectural heritage landmarks of the Jammu and Kashmir. Such a lackluster and casual official approach towards heritage preservation, upkeep and management has not only mired the very spirit of the much touted initiative but has also revealed woeful apathy of political leadership towards time-bound completion of the cultural tourism projects.
Subsequently a society named as ‘Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society’ (MMJHS) registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1998 was established in 2006 with a view to initiate necessary measures for the preservation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and to restore its original grandeur.
Pertinent to mention here that the state as well as central government had sanctioned crores of rupees for the restoration of heritage building but the lackadaisical approach of the authorities has failed to preserve the building resulting in collapsing a portion of the heritage building due to the rains. The Mubarak Mandi complex comprising of Royal Palaces and Secretariat of the Dogra kings and rulers of erstwhile Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir, being one of the highest embodiments of Dogra art and architecture and one of the most remarkable and unique expression of architectural heritage in Jammu and Kashmir, having the potential to be a world heritage monument, will further suffer irreparable damage if the present state of adhocism in its conservation continues. There is an urgent need to have a revamp of the working of MMJHS and take timely measures so that Mubarak Mandi is restored to its pristine glory and it emerges as a unique destination for cultural heritage tourism and contributes towards economic development of Jammu and well as the state.
