The Minister of Tourism,
Government of Bihar,
Old Secretariat, Patna
Sub: Fading glory
of Sonepur Mela- regarding.
Respected Sir,
Sonepur Mela 2013 is once again round
the corner but it is really heartening to witness the recent state of affairs
at Mela and the way it is being organized these days. I am blessed to witness
the extravaganza being unfolded during my childhood and teenage for not less
than 15-16 years. But the recent (mis) developments and (mal) administration is
not seems much interested in keeping alive the ancient legacy.
As a local grown up here, I personally
understand the ethos and pomp with which it was used to be organized/held during
the previous years, particularly of pre-2000 periods. On one hand dwindling arrival
of animals and their trade is a real cause for concern that how many more years
it can survive in this way but less footfall, particularly after the first week
from inaugural of this month long event, also makes the case worrisome. Migration
of youths from the region, in search of better opportunities and higher
education left the region with only retired people, children, women and old age
homes in the lack of provision of basic infrastructural services and further
career progression.
Modernization and urbanization have
also taken a toll over its glory, besides the emergence of local markets at
every nook and corner which has caused the irreversible damage, as it is once
widely / popularly said about the meal that everything, from a tiny needle to
the jumbo and giant boats (ships)used to be in trade here. After, India achieved
the almost insurmountable Technological Revolution, mainly in the field of ICT
and electronics, like Mobile, TV (Idiot Box) and Internet,in this growth story
Bihar too had its share of agony in the name of development and the situation
has gone worse to the extent that people don’t at all like to come out of home
and it has almost turned from their necessity into lethargies, dumbness and addiction.
Nitish Kumar, the incumbent Mukhiya
Mantriji is also not less responsible for its decline from glory to doom, as
his continued absence in the inaugural and valedictory functions of the Mela, a
reason for not being able to be a crowd puller to the show, contrary to
Lalu-Rabri reign, who were very much regular at the fair on the very first
inaugural day of Karthik Poornima/ Ganga Snan. Mr. Chief Minister only preferred
to be called as “Vikas Purush” in Media and Press, but this is very fact that his
Bihar is limited to only the other side of Ganga, i.e. South Bihar and
particularly to his own native place and constituency. He is only concerned
about Nalanda and Patna, as all investments and even tourism activities/fund
getting engulfed and skewed to South Bihar and that too in hardly, 2-3
districts of Nalanda, Nawada, Bihar Sharif and Patna, Is these parts only
consist of the wholesome Bihar.
Due to the large number of fair-goers
arrivals only second (concrete) bridge was constructed during the 90s but the
beautiful colonial age ones i.e., almost 150years old Steel bridge which is
still going strong with the time, except for the heavy vehicles as it connects
North with Western parts of Bihar. On the other hand the dilapidated condition
of Mahatma Gandhi Setu (Till recently, the largest Road bridge of the country),also
have its share of blame,for keeping away many visitors, mainly those belonging
to far-away places. Traffic-jams and congestion has become a regular and daily
feature/affair,and local people become habituated to the same but how the
fair-goers can, when they already have plenty of options in hand.
Lack of advertisement/poor promotion
and sensitization of the local people and tourists (Foreign and other states)
over all media of communications, be it TV, Radio, Newspaper, Internet or any
fair/event promotions. The official website of Sonepur Mela is still in 2010
mood and not updated since then. The time when online platforms of Facebook, Twitter,
blogs and many other besides Mobile is defining success of any event the extensive
use of these have not been put to the right use, which can become an overnight
hit among the youths and the seniors alike.
I am still amazed and wonder why a
private event management firm “IMPACT
Communications”, located in faraway Preet
Vihar, Delhi, awarded, the contract for organization of mela by Bihar State
Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC), while District administrations of
Saran and Vaishali were ably managing it during the earlier years. This seems
nothing but a case of favoritism and surely the company in question might be
owned by the Son/ relative of any politician/ bureaucrat. It is universal that the
private/ corporate participation is not only today manipulative but also
exploitative for the masses and this sounds nothing less but an absolutely
illogical and absurd decision. But even after 2-3 years of contract with the
firm, it doesn't seem that the scene has improved much by this government-corporate
nexus. Is Bihar government assuming it as a kitty-party or, corporate
get-together, if not,then where is the place of such event management firm in
such historic fair of heritage significance with no corporate interests but
only social angle of religious, social and entertainment congregation/
gathering.
The glorious legacy is sinking and
biggest amazement is that but nobody seems concerned and even the government is
in the mood of despair, which was supposed to take up the issue with real heart
and zeal. NOW, the final ball is in the people’s court and it is time to get involved,
engage, raise and take up your duties and responsibilities so that WE, the
people of Bihar, who is really sensitive
and cares for our heritage,which is gathering dust anyhow manages to pass into
the hands of future generations. The only little contribution we can make at
our level is through our little involvement/engagement, mostly making it
popular and promote at any platform wherever you are and whatever you do, using
any platform you are interested and comfortable at.
Any heritage has to be kept alive
for the generations so that it can go into the annals and remembered for the
contributions of our forefathers in learning how we are shaped today or, what
we received from them. We should strive hard at our level best towards that end
so that we shouldn't be blamed for the neglect and misinformation by the
generations to come. As it is well said that “Without a template of glorious
past (history), no future can be written and created”.
Long live Sonepur Mela, Long live BIHAR!
With regards,
Abid Hussain
Copy submitted
for the information too:
1) Shri
Nitish Kumar ji, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Bihar, Anne Road, Patna-800
001, Bihar.
2) Sh. Mihir Kumar Singh,Secretary,Department
of Tourism, Old Secretariat,Patna-800015, Bihar.
3) The Director,Department of Tourism, Government
of Bihar,4th Floor,B.S.F.C Building, Frazer Road, Patna-800001, Bihar.
4) The
District Magistrate (DM), Samaharnalaya (Collectorate), Chapra-841 301, Saran,Bihar.
5) The
District Magistrate (DM), Samaharnalaya (Collectorate), Kachhari Road,
Hajipur-844 101, Vaishali, Bihar.
6) Impact
Communications, C-55, 3rd Floor, Vikas Marg, Preet Vihar, New Delhi-
110 092
