उपराज्यपाल, दिल्ली

• Hon’ble Mr Justice Manmohan, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi 

• Justice Poonam A Bamba

• Ms Renu Kaul Verma

• Hon’ble Judges from the Supreme Court and the High Court 

• District Judges, Chief Secretary Delhi, Chairperson NDMC, officers, Lawyers, Authors, Luminaries from the field of Art and Architecture 

• Friends from Media, Ladies and Gentlemen 

In my short tenure of about 02 years, I have discovered that, architectural wonders scattered all over Delhi, are crying for attention. I felt that such heritage buildings need to be revived, and their history be chronicled. I feel Justice Poonam Bamba has done a commendable job in capturing in this Book, the charm, beauty and architecture of the iconic Patiala House.  Indeed, she has beautifully documented and narrated the history of Patiala House.    

02.   Justice Bamba has very interestingly woven the history of this plot of land. She has interestingly documented how it came to be allotted to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.  The correspondence exchanged between the British and the Maharaja for exchange of plot and allotment of a bigger plot near Princes’ Park.  She has also documented its construction by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s son Yadavindra Singh and its occupation by different organizations and individuals, subsequently. 

Dear Friends, Ladies & Gentlemen,

03.   I have myself, been trying to achieve the goal of conserving, restoring and preserving the Capital’s historical architecture.  In one of my first visits to the Sanjay Van area in South Delhi, adjoining Vasant Kunj and Mehrauli, I was deeply disturbed by the sheer neglect of priceless historical buildings and structures, within the complex.

04.   I had a similar experience at the Mehrauli Archaeological Park and thereafter at Chandni Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Roshanara Bagh and Sheesh Mahal in North Delhi and the Bhuli Bhatiyari complex. 

05.   These sites of immense historical value, had been converted into garbage dumping sites with crumbling buildings and structures.  Putrid water, sewerage, silt and overgrowth of wild vegetation had transformed these wonder sites into decrepit locations of shame. 

06.   This motivated me to undertake the task of gradually restoring, conserving rejuvenating and revamping these priceless heritage, passed on by our ancestors. 

07.   I must say, that despite many a hurdles, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has slowly but steadily started transforming our heritage for better. 

08.   Many of you must have visited the Mehrauli Archaeological Park during the Spring. You must have definitely seen the restored Balban ka Maqbara, Metcalfe’s Hunting Lodge and Bath House and the restored Water Body around it.  Similarly, the historical St. James Church at Kashmere Gate was restored to its past glory in a record 08 months. 

09.   Work is under progress to similarly restore the Anang Taal Baoli, Rajon ki Baoli, Rai Pithoragarh Fort and the Tomb of Quli Khan in the Mehrauli – Sanjay Van Area. Works of restoration and preservation have transformed the lush green Roshanara Bagh that houses the Maqbara of Princess Roshanara and our efforts are to similarly transform the Shalimar Bagh, where Emperor Aurangzeb was coronated.       

10.   Coming back to this wonderful book that has been launched today, it is interesting to know that even High Court of Delhi was housed in Patiala House for about a decade before the District Courts were shifted here. 

11.   I am amazed at the in-depth work done by Justice Bamba in presenting the architectural features of this palatial building. 

12.   The Book brings out interesting facts about the Patiala House. The bit about the District Judge’s Chamber, being a Ball Room that could even be rolled back to create a Swimming Pool, tells one of the opulence of yore. 

13.   Similarly, going through the Book, as I read about the Patiala House’s various Tehkhanas and Tunnels, I was reminded of the Tunnel that supposedly exists between the Delhi Assembly Building and the current office of the DU Vice Chancellor. This office earlier used to be the Viceregal Lodge. I also recalled that during a visit to Fatehpur Sikri, I was informed that there existed a Tunnel from the Dargah of Saleem Chisti, right up to Lahore. 

14.   As an aside, I would like to underline here, that the common people need to know about such architectural wonders that our forefathers created. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will do well to unearth such treasures, restore them and make them accessible to the people. 

15.   What has made this book more engaging is, the sharing of high profile cases, which were tried here. 

16.   This Coffee Table Book is a treasure trove for everyone and should find place in every leading library of this country. 

17.   I think this kind of work should be replicated by other court complexes all over India, which are housed in old / heritage buildings.

18.   I congratulate Justice Bamba for the commendable work done and wish this book the success that it rightfully deserves.  I also take this opportunity to urge Justice Bamba to participate in our conservation and restoration efforts, apart from performing her duties as the Chairperson of Police Complaint Authority. 

Thank You.

Jai Hind.