Samaleswari shrine revamp runs into descendants of instrument gamers  

By Express News Service
SAMBALPUR: The Samaleswari temple redevelopment plan has hit a roadblock with residents of close by slum Ghungutipara opposing the resettlement proposal of the district administration. Following the State authorities’s announcement of the Samaleswari temple redevelopment undertaking, fears of getting displaced gripped a piece of individuals within the metropolis, particularly these residing in Ghungutipara, one of many oldest slums close to the shrine. The residents apprehend that they could be evicted to pave method for the beautification drive across the temple.

The district administration on Sunday convened a gathering with inhabitants of Ghungutipara the place Commissioner of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) Aniruddha Pradhan mentioned the rehabilitation plan. But, the residents rejected the proposal on a number of grounds.  Ghungutipara residents stated they welcome the beautification of the temple however are towards their displacement as phrases of the rehabilitation plan are unfavourable for them. The slum homes round 200 households with majority being from the Scheduled Caste. 

The historical past of Ghungutipara dates again to over 400 years in the course of the reign of first Chauhan king of Sambalpur Balram Dev. When Samaleswari temple was constructed, Dev introduced a couple of households of the standard instrument gamers to Sambalpur from Ghungutipali in Patnagarh. Their job was to play devices in the course of the temple rituals. Subsequently, they settled close to the temple and the ghetto was named after their native place.  Apart from enjoying devices within the temple, they had been additionally given the cost of cleansing the shrine. Later, as their music turned in style, folks of different castes additionally began enjoying the devices they usually step by step began to lose their livelihood means.

Currently, the residents of Ghungutipara eke out a dwelling by working as each day wagers and sanitation staff whereas a number of fundamental facilities nonetheless elude them. Sources stated even after residing within the slum for over 400 years, they’re but to get land pattas.  A resident of Ghungutipara, 30-year-old Santanu Deep, stated, “We have been residing right here for a really very long time.

Our administrative center can also be close by. We are against the resettlement proposal because the administration is planning to rehabilitate us at Durgapali, which could be very far.” He additional stated the federal government ought to rehabilitate the residents at Cheruapara as an alternative of Durgapali and supply them with land pattas. “Besides, we demand a good package for constructing our houses along with electricity and water supply facility,” he added.