Kolkata: WB government takes up renovation work at Gandhi Bhavan
What's the story
The West Bengal government has undertaken the renovation work of the Gandhi Bhavan in Beleghata area of Kolkata, a two-story building where Mahatma Gandhi spent 25 days between August and September in 1947 when Kolkata was in the grip of riots.
The government would hold a program at the house on October 2 on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi.
Heritage property
PKGSS expects Banerjee will declare 'Gandhi Bhavan' a heritage property
"We expect West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to declare the building a heritage property on October 2," said Papri Sarkar, Joint Secretary of Purbo Kolkata Gandhi Smarak Samiti (PKGSS), a private body working for preserving the memory of Gandhi.
A national-level program will also be organized at the building after completion of the renovation, Chief Secretary Malay Kumar Dey had said earlier.
Haidari Manzil
Earlier, Gandhi Bhavan was known as 'Haidari Manzil'
Gandhi Bhavan, previously known as 'Haidari Manzil', houses a museum with a few exhibits including a 'Charkha', a pocket watch used by Gandhi, his slippers, and some rare photographs taken during his stay in Kolkata.
Letters penned by Bapu, newspaper clippings of that time about the riots, the bed on which Gandhi used to sleep are also on display.
Information
Gandhi Bhavan is maintained by PWD since 2007
Some of the sharp-edged weapons, apparently used in those days of rioting, have also been put up on display at the museum. The building is maintained by WB PWD since 2007 after a pact was signed between the WB government and the Samiti, Sarkar said.
History
Gandhi began indefinite fast at Haidari Manzil on August 31
PKGSS President Sankar Sanyal said Gandhi started residing at 'Haidari Manzil' on August 13, 1947. As killings didn't stop, he began an indefinite fast on August 31.
"On September 4, both Hindus and Muslims surrendered before him and pledged to end the killings and peace came back. Gandhi then withdrew the fast which lasted for around 72 hours and left the city," he said.