The iconic Aambagan ground, plagued by encroachments, was renamed Netaji Subhas Maidan-Aambagan to commemorate the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter on Wednesday. In a function held at the ground, State food and civil supplies minister Saryu Roy, along with members of the socio-cultural outfit, Subhas Sanskriti Parishad, announced the new name. He also inaugurated a plaque announcing the new name.
Roy said it is a matter of pride that the ground has been named after the great leader. Roy promised to rid the ground of encroachments before embarking on beautification plans of the ground which has a mosque at its southern end and the state-run school, Rajasthan Vidya Mandir, at its north.
Roy said he would take up the issue with the district administration and ensure the ground is maintained regularly. “It is the best to pay homage to legendary freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, who had visited Jamshedpur on several occasions and was also president of Tata Steel’s trade union,” he said.
Parishad founder Sekhar Dey appreciated the role played by Roy in renaming the ground. He said that they would also approach the state government for removing the encroachments. “We plan to approach the state government soon with a proposal for further beautification of the ground which is used by a large number of people,” said Dey, who is a director of the Sreeleathers Group.
The function was also graced by Jamshedpur MP Bidhyut Baran Mahto, industrialist Bikash Mukherjee and others.
The nine-decade old landmark Aam Bagan in the heart of city at Sakchi is facing encroachment threat again these days. So much so that the four-acre ground used as a play ground and for hosting socio-cultural and religious function has fallen victim to negligence. More than five makeshift motor garages have again returned on the south eastern side of the Aam bagan ground barely two years after the administration had removed encroachment at the ground in association with Jusco. Not only this but long distance buses, several two-wheelers and four-wheelers and SUVs can be found illegally parked all around the ground from morning to evening.
“Aam Bagan is an important landmark. Several senior politicians have addressed rallies here. Moreover, we had grown up playing on this ground and I used to take part in morning walk. But I have stopped as there is no space left for morning walk on the ground and that apart the ground is not hygienic for walking due to mounds of garbage and waste littered on the ground,” said a functionary of parsihad.
A member of the Netaji Subhash Sanskriti Parishad who had also stated agitation for removal of encroachment from the ground in 2014, said that the situation is pitiable at Aambagan. The ground is facing brunt of negligence. Even long distance buses have also begun to be parked in the ground again. School students and general masses cannot use the ground for morning walk and for playing due to such pathetic situation.
