Gandhi Jayanti: The dilapidated Gandhi Mandap.

-  Saurav Biswas.

Situated on the top of the Sarania Hill, the 42 year old two storeyed structure Ashram cuts a very sorry state of the Institution. Dedicated to the people by Smt. Late Indira Gandhi on 2nd October, 1970 was aimed to carry out Gandhian ideals & research work. But as said a lot happens on paper, nothing has happened in practical. The place has become a haven for petty crimes & activities due to lack of security. A wireless station is located behind the Ashram but that doesn't serve the purpose of security to the Institution.

The Ashram is looked after by a single caretaker who gets a monthly salary of just mere ` 2500 / month. When we asked him on how he manages with the money he just glanced at the skies and passed a smile onto us. We came to know that his father was also the caretaker of the Ashram & so he took over the job due to his father's old age.  On discussing the problems faced, what came into light was about the water scarcity, the garden lacked an expert attention, illegal encroachment on the Sarania Hill & lack of infrastructure in building up the Library situated on the first floor of the Ashram.  

Still every year the Ashram gets a fresh coat of paint before the Gandhi Jayanti & our administration pays their formal visit to grab the newspaper headlines. Earlier elderly & young group of people visited the place for morning walks, but now its quiet rare to find someone. There has been decrease in the number of visitors which strongly indicates that either the place has lost its charm and glamour or the way to Ashram has been narrowed under thick forest.

In this way if things roll on, then perhaps the glory of the Institution would be found only on books & webpages. Scenario would have been different if things shaped up nicely with hard & strict administration. It is also painful to learn that inadequate funds for the maintenance of the Ashram & its employees led to the crisis.

Hopefully if the citizens, organisations & the administration come together & join towards the BUILD UP, we may soon see the place regaining its lost glory. At present, we can just glance at the silver lining & hope that it really happens for sure.