I read a news with comments that fascinated me. It is posted in 'The Times of India' dated 29th December 2011. The title of the topic is "First Pakistani president's Bengal home in a shambles". The article states,
BEHRAMPORE:
From a distance, it looks like the ruins of a castle. As you come closer, the first thing that strikes you is an imposing gate, with a royal emblem above it. But thanks to the apathy of the authorities, few are aware of the glorious history behind the house. It belonged to Iskander Ali Mirza, former Pakistani president and grandson of Mansur Ali Khan, the Nawab of Bengal.
From a distance, it looks like the ruins of a castle. As you come closer, the first thing that strikes you is an imposing gate, with a royal emblem above it. But thanks to the apathy of the authorities, few are aware of the glorious history behind the house. It belonged to Iskander Ali Mirza, former Pakistani president and grandson of Mansur Ali Khan, the Nawab of Bengal.
Welcome to the Bengal home of former Pakistani President Iskander Ali Mirza. Iskander Ali Mirza was the first president of Pakistan. But his house at Kutubpur in Lalbag, lying in a dilapidated condition, speaks little of his illustrious career. Citizen Forum on Human Rights, a human rights organization, wrote to President Pratibha Patil on Monday, demanding immediate restoration of house. The organization also wants the house to be declared a national property.
Afzal Hossein Khan, state president of the human rights organization, said, "I wrote to Pratibha Patil, President of our country regarding the issue. I stated in the letter that if Pakistan can take care of L K Advani's house or Bangladesh can reserve Jyoti Basu's house, why should we be indifferent to the house, rich in history, for so many years? We request you to declare it as national property and protect it for future generation. Government must free the house of encroachers and prevent demolition of the building." who are planning to construct building demolishing the house."
"We have come to know that thieves are taking away bricks and even doors of the house, nearly every day. Why is the administration so indifferent?" questioned Khan.
Born in 1898 and educated at Elphinstone College in Mumbai, Iskander Ali Mirza was the son of Muhammed Fateh Ali Mirza and grandson of Nawab Mansur Ali Khan. After passing out from the Royal Military Academy and a six-year stint at British Indian Army, Iskander Ali Mirza joined the Indian Political Service. In 1954, he became the governor of East Pakistan and in 1956 he was declared the first president of Pakistan.
On a visit to the decrepit house of Mirza, it was found that two families had encroached upon the whole property. Hens and goats were also found within the premises of the house. Gora Sheikh, an old resident of the house said, "We have already demolished the decaying roof and repaired another part of the house." Amir Hossein, another resident, said, "We are here and as a result no thieves could steal bricks and other things from the house. One of Mirza's relatives gave us the permission to live here from my grandfather. We have planned to set up a madrasa here, but we need money."
"We had repeatedly asked the Left Front government to restore the house, but they turned a deaf ear to us. This house can be used as a tourist spot and the government can also earn from here. Lastly, we requested the Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee to look into the matter and are waiting for him to take some
action," said Biplab Chakraborty, councillor, Murshidabad municipality.
Nobody cared to reserve or maintain Iskander Ali Mirja's house at Kutubpur in Lalbag. Iskander Ali Mirza , son of Muhammed Fateh Ali Mirza and grandson of Nawab Mansur Ali Khan, first Nawab of Bengal, born in 1898 and educated in Elphinstone College in Mumbai. Iskander Ali later joined Indian Political Service after passing from Royal Military Academy and six years experienced from British Indian Army. In 1954 Iskander Ali Mirza became governor of East Pakistan and in 1956 he was elected as first president of Pakistan.
Citizen Forum on Human Rights, one human rights organization wrote to the President of India on Monday demanding immediate reservation and restoration of the house at Kutubpur in Lalbag. Afzal Hossein Khan (Sanju Khan), state president of the human rights organization said, "I wrote to Pratibha Patil, President of our country, if Pakistan can take care of L K Advani's house or Bangladesh can reserve Jyoti Basu's house, why we would we be indifferent about the historical house for the years? We request you to declare it as national property and protect it for future generation. Government must clear encroachment, who are planning to construct building demolishing the house."
Khan added. "We have come to know thieves are snatching bricks and even doors each and every day. Why is the administration indifferent?" After visiting decaying house of Iskander Ali Mirza, it evident two families have encroached the whole property. They have set dish tv and even pet some hen and goats inside this historical house. Gora Sheikh, old habitat of this house said "We have already demolished the decaying roof and repaired another part."
Amir Hossein said, "We are here and as a result no thieves could steal bricks and other things. One relative of Mirza gave us permission to live here from my grandfather. We have planned to start one madrassa here, but need money."
"We had applied repeatedly to Left Front government, but they showed almost deaf ear to us. This house can be used as a tourist spot and government can earn from here. Lastly we requested to the union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and now waiting for action," said Biplab Chakraborty, councilor, Murshidabad municipality."
I will try to put the picture if it permits!!!
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| The remains of the ancestral home of Pakistan's first President Iskander Ali Mirza at Lalbag in Murshidabad.
Viola!!! Sad isn't it? And sadder are the comments of people. Some people are saying to demolish the house of a traitor and make something in place like toilets....We as people are so apathetic towards old heritage buildings. So what if he left India and became Pakistan's president? And so what if buildings in Pakistan and Bangladesh which were occupied by people who migrated to India after partition are demolished? Do we need to stoop to their level? An eye for an eye makes the world blind. Cant we make it a heritage palace cum hotel? When we see old beautiful buildings abroad in Europe, we say wow....most of the building simply wow us. They are so beautiful. Some of the buildings are more then 100 years old. They have been renovated over many years to keep them upto standards. And look at ours. And I am sure these buildings if renovated will give any European building a run for their money. People will come and look. We too are an ancient culture with an old history but our old buildings don't seem to last due to apathetic and callous people who are not interested and make useless comments.
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