A cultural centre in memory of noted poet Shiv Batalvi at Batala still awaits completion.
( Published in The Tribune ,Chandigarh) |
An auditorium built in memory of great Punjabi poet Shiv Batalvi has been suffering neglect and apathy from the different governments for the past more than two decades.
Shiv Batalvi dedicated the prime of his youth to writing poetry at Batala. Born at Lodhian village in Sialkot (now in Pakistan), he studied at Batala and used to work in a bank.
Owing to the efforts of his admirers, local businessmen and the Industrial Association, an auditorium was raised there in 1981.
An amount of Rs 35 lakh has been spent on its construction so far but for the last more than 20 years, the auditorium has been crying for completion despite big promises made by political leaders and the district administration.
In June 2006, then chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh had visited Batala during his Vikas Yatra and promised funds for its completion. At that time, the auditorium was named as the Shiv Batalvi Culture Centre, but no financial aid came its way.
President of the Shiv Snehi Sahit Sabha, Batala, Ravinder Singh, laments that even 35 years after the poet’s death, the auditorium has not been completed. The SDM, Batala, who is the president of this auditorium, too announced financial help but no concrete steps have been taken so far. The roof of the building is in a shambles and the open space is becoming a garbage dumping ground.
