World Tourism Day-Patiala fails to attract tourist
KS Diwan/ royalpatiala.in/Patiala
Patiala is synonyms with royality, heritage, culture, traditions, gardens, sculptures, palaces, religious, art &craft, education. It’s a worldwide famous princely state. It has a rich legacy. Its history, entangled with the lives of colourful rulers.
Baba Ala Singh , on whose name Patiala was founded, laid the foundation of the Qila Mubarak in 1763, around which the town of Patiala is situated
One of his descendants, Maharaja Narinder Singh gave the city some of its finest buildings, including the Moti Bagh Palace and the Sheesh Mahal. Patiala’s most flamboyant ruler, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, said to be the first Indian to own an aeroplane, was an enthusiastic patron of sports, while his son, Yadavindra Singh, played an important role as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes, agreeing as he did, along with 22 other rulers to accede to the Indian Union.Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab is a descendant of Baba Ala Singh.
Every ruler from Baba Ala Singh to Maharaja Yadwindra Singh the last ruler of erstwhile state of Patiala contributed in one way or the other way, in developing the city.
This erstwhile state has in fact been culturally enriching, too. It bestowed Hindustani classical tradition with one of its most notable schools of music, the Patiala Gharana, which produced the likes of Ustad Ali Bux and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan as its most celebrated exponents.
Well known for its many product-specific bazaars, selling traditional crafts: juttis (embroidered shoes), parandis (coloured braids) and nallas (silken drawstrings).
Patiala also has a long tradition of excellence in education. Mohindra College, one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in north India, was founded by Maharaja Mohinder Singh in the 1870s. Besides, the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, was established within the Moti Bagh Palace following Independence, and is said to be Asia’s largest sports institute. Baradari garden is a life line of Patiala.
Despite a rich cultural heritage the respective govt. fail to encash it in the form of Tourism. Rajasthan is a live example of promoting its rich culture, heritage and attracting tourist from world wide.
Gurjit singh a resident of Patiala said that “I am born and bought up in Patiala, but till date i didn’t get a chance to see Patiala’s Qila Mubarak. If govt open Qila Mubarak for public with a ticket of 50 Rs., every resident either young or old would love to visit this place. See how much revenue the govt would get. That money can be used for further restoration”. What Rajasthan, Agra or other princely states are doing? They are promoting it.
Manish Kumar a businessman said “if qila Mubarak is opened for public, then every business will give boost and it also give employment to youngsters. He further said that Govt dream project Ghar Ghar naukari would get boost, if heritage site were opened for public. “
Gagandeep Kaur a housewife is bit optimistic and said that “now Chief Minister is from Patiala and he will definitely do everything in promoting heritage, tourism in Patiala”
