The other day while walking the Zaina Kadal in Shahr-e-Khaas, I was really shocked to see that our historical monument–the Pather Masjid has been shadowed by shops, which is really painful.
 Now there is hardly any monument left which hasn’t fallen prey to the commercial encroachments, particularly shops. Same is true for Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta, Hazratbal shrine and Khanqah-e-Moula where the magnificent architecture is being shadowed by the commercialisation around.
 If same was done by other states of the country then there would have been no Taj Mahal, Jantar Mantar and Red Fort. But the people of these states care for their heritage and monuments and that is why the monuments there, magnificently, stand tall.
I fail to understand why in our state authorities give permissions for constructing the shops at such places. If same will continue to happen I think there wouldn’t even remain the remains of such monuments.
 If these shops are removed from such places not only our heritage will remain preserved but will also add to road widening.
Faizan Mairaj
(The ideas expressed are author’s own)

Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST