Sleepy city to symbol of future

RK Saboo

As a student, I always considered history to be a dry subject and shunned it immediately after matriculation. Why must we have to dwell on the past? As I grew up, I realised yesterday is today’s teacher and leads to the vision of tomorrow. And now, I am convinced that history is a measure to evaluate progress, be it an institution, human life, a nation or a city — all are dynamic, not static; evolving, not stunting; organically growing, not stagnating. Chandigarh, the most liveable city in the country, bustling and bursting — looking ahead for rapid transport, national and international connectivity — is truly on the move.

I came to Chandigarh in 1960 to set up a factory. Coming from a sprawling, and never-sleeping Calcutta, with my wife and two-year-old son, it felt like a contrasting situation.

Chandigarh was in its infancy. The population was about 75,000. There was only one cinema house, Kiran; and only one restaurant worth its name, Kwality. Cars were limited on roads and almost none after dark.  The city slept early. Just to be on the air map of India, it had one Dakota (DC-3) Delhi-Chandigarh flight in a week, mostly not operating, and passengers were taken by bus. The only reasonable train connection was the overnight Kalka Mail.

I had an Ambassador, which I would take to my workplace. My wife took a rickshaw to go to the market. Originally from Gwalior, she loved the spaces in Chandigarh.

The city had transited through the division of the state, becoming a Union Territory, administered by a Chief Commissioner, and later, an Administrator. It survived militancy in the ’80s and early ’90s. Ex officio, the Punjab Governor became the UT Administrator. Chandigarh got the Administrator’s advisory committee. I was privileged to be a member. The master plan for the future was prepared, describing it to be the ‘Administrative City’. When I pointed out that the city must be a symbol of multiple activities, not just of administrative domain, I was silenced. The example of Canberra, Australia’s federal capital, was given. I submitted why not think of Washington D.C. Many agreed with me, but who dared speak up?

Fresh winds are now blowing through the city. It is emerging as a symbol of future India. The Administrator has an open mind, seeking advice from the advisory council.  It is becoming a hub of cultural activities—music, arts, drama, entertainment and social activities. Growing healthily, with strong hands on each side—Mohali and Panchkula—it is already a destination for medical facilities, commercial and industrial enterprises, higher specialised education and tourism, to name a few. The administration, NGOs and private initiative are opening new vistas.

Chandigarh is not perfect, but we dream of it. We get frustrated, but do not abandon hope. We demand responsibility. We need to look within, and beyond. The citizens no more say wherefrom they came. They proudly claim, ‘We belong to Chandigarh.’ I am one of them.