Mir Mosharraf Hossain memorial centre in Rajbari's Padamdi losing its beauty to neglect

The memorial centre in Rajbari linked to Mir Mosharraf Hossain, the celebrated author of the classic novel 'Bishad Sindhu', is now losing its beauty to neglect. A lack of maintenance, a shortage of staff and insufficient supervision are damaging parts of the structure, located in Padamdi village of Baliakandi upazila.

Visitors and local residents have expressed anger at the situation. The district administration has also expressed concern over the memorial centre's current state. Those concerned have demanded that the centre be made attractive to visitors again through quick renovation and proper management.

Mir Mosharraf Hossain, one of the most renowned writers of the nineteenth century, was born on November 13, 1847, at his maternal grandparents' home in Lahinipara, Kushtia. His ancestral home was in Padamdi village of Baliakandi upazila in Rajbari. He spent an important part of his childhood and education there.

He later completed his studies in Krishnanagar and Kolkata. The writer died on December 19, 1912. In accordance with his wishes, he was buried beside the grave of his wife Kusum.

At one time the writer's burial place was on the verge of being lost for lack of maintenance. The matter came to the attention of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs after a report on it was broadcast in Bangladesh Television's magazine programme 'Kathamala'. The present Mir Mosharraf Hossain memorial centre was later built there under the supervision of Bangla Academy.

Locals allege, however, that proper maintenance of the memorial centre has not been ensured even after its establishment. A shortage of necessary staff means there is a lack of regular care and supervision, and various structures and infrastructure of the centre are being damaged as a result.

Rajbari Deputy Commissioner Afroza Parvin said the district administration is also giving importance to the centre's current condition and the need for renovation.

Mir Mosharraf Hossain's birth anniversary is observed every year on November 13. The occasion draws extra interest in the memorial centre among literature lovers, but demands for infrastructure development, necessary renovation and regular maintenance have been raised for a long time.

Visitors and local residents say that if the memorial centre is renovated and modernised in a planned way and kept open regularly to visitors, it could become one of Rajbari district's leading tourist attractions.