Page 43 - MONSOON EDITION

EXPERT’S TALK

What we learnt from history was that it was a 7 storey structure but now it only a 4 storey structure. We then
need to analyze the entire structure, study it completely and understand the need of the damaged storey and
try to revive the lost and destroyed structure. What was the need for this structure during that time? The most
challenging part of such restoration work is that we need to understand the lifestyle prevalent at that time.
This might be the kings place, this might be the guards place, etc we need to think, imagine, relate it to the
space available now. Then we can come to a conclusion of the structure and justify it. We need to go back to
that era to understand the structure. We need to establish a relation to understand, revive, and rebuild the
structure as it was in the past. Bhujiyo Kotho is very close to my heart. I didn't know what the octagon shaped
upper storey was used for? It took me almost two and a half years to just plan the restoration work? Then we
made a 3D model out of it and compared it with the existing structure. What material they used to construct
this structure in the past, we have to use the same material today. How many floors were there, where was
the staircase? Its height is not known. All these facts have to be gathered. The most challenging part of this
project is that we have only 20% of the measurement and dimension of the structure. So we have to assume
80%. Then when we made the detailed project report, provided them photographic evidences, thereafter
archaeologists from the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) studied our report, visited the site personally,
then we got the final clearance of restoration. This structure comes under “Protected Monument”. In this
category, we cannot alter the restoration work even an inch. All these work is very streamlined. You can
understand the challenges we face in such projects.

3. Can you share the timeline of any of your recent restoration project? Have you had to face any kind of
obstructions in the way of achieving your goals for this particular project?

We started preparing the project report in 2012 and we have got the clearance to start the restoration work,
so all these 8 years we were only making the plan of the site and doing the ground work for the restoration
work.
I will not call it as obstructions, but call it a procedure. We follow the proper procedure for restoration. As you
know, there are many government layers where we need to present our project and satisfy the needs of the
department. When we work on the restoration, getting a clearance from the different government agencies
takes a lot of time. When the government clears the file, then it goes to the finance department for budgeting.
Then again they scrutinize the project whether this kind of a restoration is needed or not. If the need is, then
how much is the need. All these goes into consideration. We have been very fortunate enough the Jamnagar
Municipal Corporation has been very supportive behind this project. This project comes under ASI but the
way JMC has supported us has been commendable as JMC feels these projects are within city limits. I am
very thankful to JMC in providing all the help needed. When the MoU was signed between JMC an ASI and
then JMC initiated the project's restoration. Even the ASI had shortage of manpower and experts needed for
the project; this is where our role was important. We acted as a nodal agency. All these things matched and
now the restoration work is going on very smoothly.

4. Some words of motivation and guidance for the future generations to look at this profession with
passion.
Let me tell you, there is not short cut to success. You have to wait for success. Nothing is easy. To me
patience is that you have to wait till the last moment. For example, Lakhota Lake's restoration took 14 years
(2003 to 2017) and Bhujiyo Kotho took 8 years to materialize what it is today. The restoration work was taken
away from us, given back to us, so all these things will happen. We have to keep going. We shouldn't get de-
motivated with all these things going around. 43