‘Sadda Pind’ to bring alive rural sights & sounds

Neeraj Bagga

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 10

A state government sponsored project, Sadda Pind, is all set to showcase the traditional lifestyle in a Punjabi village. Presently, people adept in different professions like making phulkari, Punjabi jutti, paranda and other trades are being hired for the project. They will present a real picture of a typical Punjabi village to tourists, who come to the holy city.

Meanwhile, hospitality players, tour and travel agents are keenly awaiting the opening of the heritage village to prolong the stay of tourists in the city.

In a novel way, the private concern engaged in setting up and operating ‘Sadda Pind’, is hiring people from Mahal, Jhanjhotiya, Kala Ghanupur and other villages to showcase their talent in different professions and stay associated with Punjabi rural life.

The heritage village will feature houses of potters, weavers and blacksmiths, besides artisans who make parandis, juttis, phulkaris, clay toys, musical instruments, durries, agricultural implements and shawls, among others.

Each house will bring alive the life of a particular rural artisan with complete interiors, decor and tools used for the work. The project also aims to rehabilitate and revive folk art and crafts of Punjab by recruiting local artistes. These professionals can also opt to stay at ‘Sadda Pind’ after a day-long work.

The village also has residences of sarpanch and nambardar, baraat ghar (community hall), daak ghar (post office), a dhaba, grocery store, besides a huge haveli.

The long awaited and ambitious heritage village project, situated on Guru Nanak Dev University premises, has jumped its deadline of completion of work many a time. The heritage village will possibly be inaugurated by the end of the year.

The government had entrusted the task of setting up and managing the village to JMD Heritage Lawns Pvt Ltd. Its managing director, Ish Gambhir, said, “The civil work is almost complete. Finishing strokes to beautify the place, in sync with ethnic Punjabi furniture, windows and other paraphernalia, is underway. It will be completed this month.”

Meanwhile, the private concern wants Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to inaugurate the village on any date in this or next month.

Artifacts associated with Punjab countryside are being collected painstakingly from far off places to give a true feel at the site.

The heritage village is inspired by famous Punjabi book “Mera Pind,” written by Giani Gurdit Singh. He had performed the clod-breaking ceremony at a space earmarked for the village at the university in 2003. The then Education Minister had also announced a grant of Rs 20 lakh for the purpose, but the amount was never sanctioned.

Later, the project was revived by the state government in 2010. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had laid its foundation stone again in October 2011.