Swaraj Ashram cries for attention

CUTTACK: The Swaraj Ashram here was abuzz with activity on Sunday with leaders and politicians thronging to pay homage to  Mahatma Gandhi. The activities in the ashram are confined to some ritual meetings on Gandhi Jayanti and flag hoisting on the Independence Day and the Republic Day. On other days, it is a victim of the State Government’s apathy.Even though four years have passed since the State Government converted the Swaraj Ashram into a museum, the building lies neglected. The main building does not have  electricity supply for almost six years. It was disconnected following default in payment of the arrears amounting to over Rs 85 lakh.In the name of artefacts relating to the freedom movement in the State and the role of Swaraj Ashram which was in the thick of the non-cooperation movement in the 1920s, the museum has only a few photographs.In 2008, it was envisaged to put up around 3,000 photographs of eminent freedom fighters of the State, but so far just 200 pictures have been displayed.This apart, the premises of the ashram is in a shambles with no maintenance.“Except photographs, there is not a single object in the ashram related to Mahatma Gandhi’s stay during 1920s. The Culture Department has primarily engaged itself in renovating the building. However, no step has been taken to convert it into a museum,” regrets Sarat Chandra Sahu, president of Cuttack Mahanagar Purbanchala Shanti Committee.DIPRO Govinda Chandra Raul said a proposal and the cost estimate of electrification of the ashram had been submitted to the State Government and the electricity connection is expected by the month-end.“At present, we are using electricity from the Culture Department office on the ashram premises in case of  meetings and functions,” Raul said. Renovation works in the main ashram building like flooring and construction of toilets, have been completed.As per plans, landscaping and beautification works would be done on the ashram campus and the dilapidated building on left side of the main ashram would be demolished.“We are taking measures to showcase the ashram as a socio-cultural hub of Gandhian ideals and funds have been allocated for the purpose,” said Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patra.The ashram was declared a protected monument in 1986 under the Orissa Monument Preservation Act.Mahatma Gandhi first visited Cuttack on March 23, 1921 and stayed at the ashram for two days. He addressed a public meeting on the banks of the Kathajodi River on March 24, 1921.