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Netaji's house in Cuttack falls to ruin

M I Khan in Cuttack

Did you know that Subhas Chandra Bose was born in Orissa? If your answer is no, don't worry. Many in Orissa don't know this either.

At least, that was the impression this correspondent got when he visited the house where Netaji was born in 1897 in Cuttack. Tucked away in one corner of the busy Oriya Bazar, 'Janakinath Bhawan', where the freedom fighter spent his early childhood, is a crumbling structure today. Walls of this two-storey mansion have developed cracks, doors have come off their hinges and plaster is peeling off the ceiling.

Apart from a fresh coat of white-wash every year in January when some enthusiasts gather here to remember the leader, the state government has done precious little to save this historic structure.

Quite understandably, Professor Chitra Ghosh, Netaji's niece, who was in town recently in connection with the anniversary celebrations, was bitter when she spoke to rediff.com. "This place is a pilgrimage for every Indian who was associated with the freedom struggle. But look what it has come to," she said.

It is not that the state government does not know about the historical significance of the building. In fact, promises have been made by successive governments to recognise the structure as a national monument. But nothing came off the promises.

"We were hopeful that our locality will get a new look after the Union government three years back promised to grant 'Janakinath Bhawan' the status of a national monument,'' said Sheikh Jabbar, a resident of Oriya Bazar.

Frustrated by the government's inaction, Netaji Research Foundation has begun exploring the possibility of raising funds privately to save the building. ''If the government does not come forward to protect the building, we will have to do something on our own,'' Professor Ghosh said.

But the foundation is fast running out of time. Archaeologists pointed out that the building has suffered extensive damage due to the years of neglect and that with the passage of time it would become progressively difficult to carry out the restoration work.

Since very few people know about the significance of the building, it has never been part of a tourist's itinerary in Cuttack. In fact, the state tourism department has made no effort to promote it as a tourist spot.

Though an attempt was made to convert the first floor of the building into a museum, the area has now become a dumping ground for priceless period furniture, photographs and letters.

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