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| Residence of Raja Subodh Mullick sSri Aurobindo Institute of Culture |
Unfortunately, since independence the governments - both state and central have paid least attention to such monuments for various reasons - financial crunch, lack of interest, etc., as they are bogged down with other pressing social problems that need to be addressed first. Since such monuments are not protected from trespassing and encroachments by way of erecting barricades, etc, anti-social groups and hooligans can access them and either destroy them or deface them beyond repair. Our monuments in many places have a pathetic tale to tell.
According to a recent report, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 35% of the ancient relics and monuments under their control have disappeared due to negligence. No periodic surveys and maintenance and most importantly, no stringent laws to protect them are the main reasons. There are cases of vandalism and abuse of ancient monuments by irresponsible people. Some have become haven for punks, drunks and drug peddlers. Many monuments have turned into garbage dumps. Irresponsible shop keepers have encroached upon some of the sites in the prime areas of the cities and towns.
The poor attitude of the people towards our monuments and the apathy of the authorities need to be rectified, to begin with. This can be done only with public cooperation and good support from the governments. The fading glory of innumerable places across the country is a fact and has to be taken seriously. Our glorious history will have lots of holes if our old monuments disappear from our landscape like the willow-the wisp. Our monuments are vast and valuable and if they are properly taken care of it will improve the flow of foreign tourists to India. It is imperative for the state and central governments to preserve them from further degradation by allocating enough funds to repair, restore and conserve them for our posterity.
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| Residence of Raja Subodh Mullick sriaurobindoinstitute.org |
The palatial house of Raja Subodh Mullick, is a historical place in Calcutta. This residence was once the beehive of freedom movements and played an important role in the Swadeshi movement and discarding of foreign stuff. Well known people passed through the portals of this house, a silent spectator to the repressive British rule. Eminent personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chittaranjan Das had visited the house when Subdah mallick was just 4 years of age. Shri Aurobindo stayed here from 1906 to 1908. Unfortunately this heritage building (declared in 1998) is crumbling down as it is caught in a court ligation. It has fallen into disrepair as the legal battle continues with no solution in sight in the near future. Added to this hurdle is the lethargic nature of our judiciary and its move at snail's pace.
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| Mullick's residence. The Hindu |
The legal wrangle is over the "will" made by Nirad Chandra Basu Mullick, Subodh Mullick’s cousin to whom he sold his share. Nirad Chandra' s will dtd. March 4, 1932 states if his son (Hambir Chandra Mullick) has no issue, the beneficiary of his estate is the University of Calcutta for advancement of learning. In the "will" there is no provision for adopted son and legal heir issue. After Hambir Chandra's death on November 18, 1976, his caretaker Mahadeo Prasad Mishra claimed a share in the house. The university took possession of the ground and the first floors of the house on September 19, 1977, but Mishra occupied the second floor. The university moved Calcutta High Court the same year. The university plans to construct a building for academic purpose.
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| Rajah Subodh Mullick ... |
http://www.sriaurobindoinstitute.org/saioc/Sri_Aurobindo/calcutta/12_wellington_square
https://www.telegraphindia.com/1070401/asp/calcutta/story_7579252.asp