In Ajmer, archival films may soon become history
Aug 27, 2016, 09.30 AM IST
Reels of national value carelessly stuffed in the seminar hall.
JAIPUR:
For a state heaped in history, it cares two hoots for preserving the
same, unless there's some tourism moolah to be had in the process.
The unfolding tragedy of over 4,200 reels of archival footage, some dating back to 1930s and spanning the history of Independence and later, at the Central Film Library in Ajmer is yet another tale of official apathy and ignorance of what the past holds for future generations.
The rare reels, kept earlier in the dilapidated main library hall, were hastily moved into a cramped seminar hall without any notice on August 12, two days prior to chief minister Vasundhara Raje's planned visit to Ajmer. This was reportedly done by the local administration for Raje to lay the foundation stone for a new library building during her visit on August 15. However, this was not a part of her official programme.
The reels of national value, carelessly stuffed in the seminar hall, have continued to remain there with the very real threat of damaging the original prints. The administration has neither installed air-conditioners nor done repairs to contain seepage of water into the room, which were promised to library officials at the time of shifting.
The absence of proper facilities together with moist floors and walls may irrevocably damage the reels.
Raje earmarked Rs 2 cr in 2016 for digitisation of reels
Surprisingly, the film library had managed to catch the attention of chief minister Vasundhara Raje who had earmarked Rs 2 crore in her 2016 budget for digitisation.
Former district collector Arushi Malik had also zeroed in on a hall in a heritage building in Ajmer to shift the library. However, the idea was scrapped and officials are now hunting for a new place for these priceless reels.
"We are back to square one. It's absurd that they had shifted us to a small seminar room without finalizing the place for a new library. We have been working under similar conditions for years and lost many rare reels. We still have no idea why they demolished the main library hall when they have not finalised a new place. It should have been smooth transition from our halls to the new venue. As of now, we are not sure when the new fully air-conditioned halls will be constructed," said an employee of the library.
The seminar hall is so small that the employees cannot even carry out the daily maintenance work.
Though TOI called district collector Gaurav Goyal, he was unavailable for comments.
Experts say that the reels of pre- and post-Independence eras, especially of the 60s and 70s, are of great national importance.
The unfolding tragedy of over 4,200 reels of archival footage, some dating back to 1930s and spanning the history of Independence and later, at the Central Film Library in Ajmer is yet another tale of official apathy and ignorance of what the past holds for future generations.
The rare reels, kept earlier in the dilapidated main library hall, were hastily moved into a cramped seminar hall without any notice on August 12, two days prior to chief minister Vasundhara Raje's planned visit to Ajmer. This was reportedly done by the local administration for Raje to lay the foundation stone for a new library building during her visit on August 15. However, this was not a part of her official programme.
The reels of national value, carelessly stuffed in the seminar hall, have continued to remain there with the very real threat of damaging the original prints. The administration has neither installed air-conditioners nor done repairs to contain seepage of water into the room, which were promised to library officials at the time of shifting.
The absence of proper facilities together with moist floors and walls may irrevocably damage the reels.
Raje earmarked Rs 2 cr in 2016 for digitisation of reels
Surprisingly, the film library had managed to catch the attention of chief minister Vasundhara Raje who had earmarked Rs 2 crore in her 2016 budget for digitisation.
Former district collector Arushi Malik had also zeroed in on a hall in a heritage building in Ajmer to shift the library. However, the idea was scrapped and officials are now hunting for a new place for these priceless reels.
"We are back to square one. It's absurd that they had shifted us to a small seminar room without finalizing the place for a new library. We have been working under similar conditions for years and lost many rare reels. We still have no idea why they demolished the main library hall when they have not finalised a new place. It should have been smooth transition from our halls to the new venue. As of now, we are not sure when the new fully air-conditioned halls will be constructed," said an employee of the library.
The seminar hall is so small that the employees cannot even carry out the daily maintenance work.
Though TOI called district collector Gaurav Goyal, he was unavailable for comments.
Experts say that the reels of pre- and post-Independence eras, especially of the 60s and 70s, are of great national importance.
This includes rare visual biography of Mahatma Gandhi, covering a period from 1935 to 1947; most of his important public meetings and events; and a rare footage featuring Jawaharlal Nehru, Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel, Acharya Kripalani and Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, popularly known as Frontier Gandhi, in Jaipur during the first Congress session of independent India in 1949.
It also contains footage of historical events such as the release of prisoners of 1971 Bangladesh war at Wagah border with token gifts. The library is one among the four central ones in the country.