New Delhi: What is common between Aat
village in Gujarat and Zulifur in Bihar?
These are two of the 2,000 lesser-known places associated
with Mahatma Gandhi which will soon sport a new look, thanks
to an initiative by the Government to conserve the
historically-significant sites.
The Centre plans to launch 'Gandhi Heritage Sites
Mission' under which all these sites will be protected and
conserved with a view to showcasing them to the younger
generation and tourists.
The sites, most of which are in a dilapidated condition,
have been identified by a sub-group of the Gandhi Heritage
Committee constituted by the Culture Ministry, which is headed
by Gandhi's grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi, official sources
said.
The committee has submitted a voluminous book to the
Ministry detailing how and why the sites are associated with
the apostle of peace. Almost all the sites were visited by
Gandhi during the freedom struggle.
The Mission's main job is to renovate the sites, paint
the buildings and put proper signages and lighting
arrangements.
The sites are located in almost all parts of the country,
including in north-eastern states, and the committee has
collected details about the places from various sources like
Gandhi Smriti and various biographies.
The book has every detail about the sites like how and
why Gandhi visited the place and so on, a senior official
said.
"The places have been identified after tremendous
research and details have been collected from various
biographies and books on Gandhi," he said.
Some sites in Pakistan and Bangladesh have also been
identified for conservation and preservation, he said. The
sites in India include public places, parks and committee
halls where the Mahatma visited and stayed.
"The Government decided to launch the Mission after there
were lot of demands to conserve and protect the sites visited
by Mahatma Gandhi. A proposal in this regard will soon be
submitted before the Standing Committee on Finance after which
it will be approved by the Cabinet," the official said.
The government will also put up sign boards which will
educate the tourists about how and why Mahatma Gandhi was
associated with the place.
The sources said the Government is also mulling
appointing guides and volunteers to create awareness about the
importance of the sites.
The Culture Ministry appointed the committee in April
2006 for identifying and documenting sites associated with
Mahatma Gandhi, with a view to strengthening their upkeep and
conservation for posterity.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 10:28