Fifty kilometres from Srinagar, in Sopore–the Apple town of Kashmir–Meeras Mahal (Urdu: Heritage Palace) Museum is brimming with restorative activity, aided by support from Delhi as well as Switzerland. The brain behind this community museum, late Atiqa Bano (1940-2017) was an educationist, activist and conservationist. She dedicated her life to preserving the heritage of her land in what experts call an extraordinary effort, perhaps the only one of its kind in Kashmir. When Bano wasn’t teaching, she would identify and collect objects—from agricultural implements to kitchen utensils and items of everyday use, art objects, and manuscripts. This collection was built over the years, from personal contributions, recovered artefacts and even door-to-door contributions. The 7,000-plus objects in her collection were assigned to the museum which she registered as a trust. While the museum was being overseen by a surviving relative, M Saleem Beg, Honorary Convener, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH, Kashmir Chapter), felt the need for expertise to step in.

“We’ve been facing hurdles, budgetary and otherwise, after the Abrogation of Article 370. For a typical administrator, the idea of a cultural heritage project is a music, dance or storytelling programme. And, there is nothing wrong with it, but it’s not the real deal. Culture doesn’t develop in isolation,” says Beg over a phone call from Srinagar. “If an administrator from UP or any other place is posted here, you cannot expect the same engagement to improve on-ground development. Having said this, we must look forward. Things have to move on…” Beg’s years as former Director General-Tourism, Jammu &Kashmir, justify his reading of the situation.