Letter to Tourism Minister of BIHAR.

Date: 25.10.2013

To

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, 3^rd Floor, Vikas Marg, Preet Vihar, New Delhi- 110 092