Bert visits Khalsa College, offer help to restore `heritage building’

 by Punjabnewswire4u

AMRITSAR, SEPT 6

Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC)’s efforts to restore 120-year-old historic Khalsa College’s building got another boost when Bert Praxenthaler, a world renowned freelance architectural conservationist and UNESCO Consultant visited the campus today. He was on a private visit to the `holy city’ but was overwhelmed on seeing the glorious grandeur building and appreciated efforts already being made to preserve it from vagaries of time.

 Bert who basically hails from Germany, had gained the notoriety world around as he was instrumental in restoring the ancient Budha statue at Bomyan in Afghanistan, which was blown out by Talibans, a fanatical Islamist militia group. He worked for eight long years to rebuild and re-construct the statue to its original pristine glory.

 ``This is a rare blend of architectural style I am looking at. I am impressed’’, said he on seeing the Khalsa College’s building. He said if ever his services were required he will be happy to provide consultancy during the restoration of the parts of building, constructed in 1892. The building’s main Sundar Singh Majithia Hall is in urgent need of restorations as its ceiling had been affected.

 KCGC Joint Secretary (Finance) Mr. Gunbir Singh who earlier welcomed Bert said that they were happy to have him on the campus. ``He is persons of eminence in his field and I decided to invite him here. His suggestions would be highly valuable for us’’, said Mr Gunbir Singh, himself a nature-lover and heritage protectionist. He also said that there was urgent need that the ceiling and roof of the main hall was preserved.

 There had been funds issue also as the finances were required to take up the preservations and conservation. The KCGC with the grants from state government has already taken up restoration of the main Khalsa College’s building in the past. ``No doubt more funds are required but we will make arrangements for generating the funds’’, said Mr. Gunbir Singh. KC’s Principal Dr.Daljit Singh also apprized Mr. Bert about the efforts already in process to carry on required repair of the building in consonance with the original historic and heritage character.

 Bert said that he will take up the matter at UNESCO level too and might provide the necessary help if it was sought by the KCGC. ``The UNESCO is world body working hard to preserve the heritage, both cultural and architectural worldwide. I wil definitely put the word at the right platform’’, said he.