Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to have 4 guides to educate visitors about its importance

GS Paul

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Amritsar, July 26

The historic monument — Jallianwala Bagh — would soon have an adequate number of guides to educate visitors about its importance and to maintain the sanctity of the site. This was stated by Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust member Shwait Malik, who visited the bagh, to review the ongoing maintenance work.

He appealed to visitors not to treat the place as a “picnic spot” and maintain the sanctity of historic monument. Located just a few yards away from the Golden Temple, around 1 lakh people visit bagh every day.

“At present, there is only one guide at the bagh. I have taken up the issue with Secretary PK Mukherjee. We are going to hire at least four more guides who would tell visitors about the historic background and its significance in the nation’s freedom struggle for which innocents were massacred. Since the bagh is located near the Golden Temple, it is convenient for devotees to come here on foot. The footfall, here, too has increased manifold, especially after renovation of the bagh. The Trust has decided to open the bagh for more hours in the evening.”

The bagh was redecorated at a cost of Rs 20 crore after one-and-a-half years of renovation by the Ministry of Culture in 2021. The revamp project included setting up of four new museum galleries, installation of sculptures along the historic narrow alley, alterations in entry and exit, development of a lotus pond, installation of glass enclosures around the victim’s well, and arrangements for a light and sound show that unfolds the tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually inaugurated the bagh on August 28, 2021, after it was given a facelift. Almost three years later, the bagh required maintenance. The plaster was coming off at several places while a fresh coat of paint and whitewash was also required. The ceiling near the Amar Jyoti was peeled off and dampness was quite visible giving it a shabby look. Workers were engaged to replace the damaged part of the wooden railing made up of Kail, Marandi (white cedar wood) and Diyar (cedar wood) installed around the green belt in the bagh.

A projector in the first gallery of digital theatre showcasing historic developments in the wake of the massacre in the historic bagh, was lying defunct.

Malik said the routine maintenance at the bagh was being monitored. “A fresh coat of whitewash is being given to walls in the bagh. The broken part of the railing would repaired or replaced, if need be. The projector too would be repaired,” he said.