star.gif (2664 bytes)A Down To Earth Supplement
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Special Jaipur edition, February, 2002
Gobar means animal dung in Hindi. All of rural India uses it in a variety of ways. Ways that exemplify sustainable existence. That's why we use it, too.
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THE NEGLECTED MONUMENTS OF JAIPUR
Guarding our past,
Securing our future
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JAIPUR MIRROR

INTERVIEW
hawatoon.jpg "One of the biggest problems that we face here are the visitors. They are at times very inconsiderate and misbehaved."

GT reporter, AKSHAY SINGHVI speaks to Pankaj Dharendra, the curator of Albert Hall, Jaipur.

GT: What work do you do sir?
C: I work as the curator, but due to lack of staff I have multiple tasks such as guide, Head of administrations, security, cleaning up the place, gardening, etc.

GT: What is the biggest problem that you face here in the museum?
C: VISITORS. They are sometimes very inconsiderate and misbehaved. They scratch the display glasses; litter on the grounds and don't use the trashcans provided; write their names on the wall; spit ...

GT: What are you doing to keep the pigeons away from Albert Hall?
C: Pigeons are a big problem for the building and it is ruining the building. But we cannot do much about the pigeons since people come and feed them. They say that they do it name of religion and no one can argue that.

GT: Sir, why are tables and stools lying around in the back of the main hall haphazardly?
C: Well, because there is an exhibition in the big hall, and we do not have space to keep these tables and chairs elsewhere.

GT: Sir, we feel that the display is not very effective, are you going to change the way things are displayed?
C: We would love to change the display of the museum, but we do not have enough funds. However, I have tried to make changes like providing fiberglass windows on the roof since glass, if it breaks, can cause serious injuries to visitors. We have also changed the clothes of some of the statues according to what was the customs of Rajasthan. We are trying to provide a book and souvenir shop for visitors.

GT: If you get enough power what will you do for Albert Hall?
C: I would give it Rs 3 crores for maintenance and restoration and provide more staff.

HAWA-MAHAL
Not attracting many visitors

hawa-mahal.jpg (7563 bytes)The first vision of Jaipur, in our minds, is of the Hawa Mahal. Hawa Mahal, popularly known as 'The Palace Of Winds', was visited by the reporters of Gobar Times. It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. The reporters had a very good time talking to the visitors, who said that the monument is not maintained properly and the government should look after it in a much better way. They said that the walls were very dirty and this puts a real bad impression on both domestic and foreign tourists. A lift should also be available according to them for use in case of emergency. One of them said that the photography charges were too high and should be reduced. Foreign tourists had the same story to tell. One of them was very angry and said that many sculptures were broken and even Lord Vishnu's arms were cut. He said that all the people who write on the walls should be strictly fined under any circumstances. So Japurians, think twice before writing anything on the walls of this beautiful monument.


Pramiti Pareek, Aneesh Jain, Aditya Chaudhary, Nupur Asher