Murshidabad, 16 April (H.S.): Murshidabad is the first name in the list of places to spend weekends or short holidays in West Bengal. But during the four-day holiday including the Bengali New Year, the city of Nawabs, Murshidabad remained almost empty of tourists. As a result, many people of Murshidabad associated with the tourism business have been affected. Despite the long holidays, the number of tourists did not show up like that. People associated with the tourism business are counting the days in the hope when tourists will come here again. Murshidabad means Hazarduari, Imambara, Motijheel Park, Jagat Seth’s house, Kathgolap Garden, Katra Masjid, Khoshbagh and one of the most popular fifty-one Peethas, Kiriteshwari Temple. These tourist places of Murshidabad remain full of tourists throughout the year. In the last few days, tourists have not set foot in the city of Nawabs due to the worsening of the situation in some parts of Murshidabad. From hotels and restaurants to car, auto and toto drivers, everyone has suffered huge losses. Besides, tourist guides and photographers too are left with raised eyebrows and tight pockets. The unrest witnessed in various areas including Suti, Jangipur and Shamsherganj in the last few days has also spread to various nearby tourist spots including Baharampur and Lalbagh.
However, traders there say that these tourist spots are far away from the areas where the unrest is taking place. But based on the pictures that tourists in other states or districts have seen in various media and on social media, many are cancelling their plans even though they had already planned for it. “We had great hopes that there would be a flood of tourists at Hazarduari and nearby tourist centres in Murshidabad during the last four days of holidays,” said Sumit Saha, a shopkeeper near the Hazarduari Palace. “But this time we are very disappointed. “Perhaps tourists are scared to come here because of the current situation in Murshidabad.”
Raju Dhar makes a living by clicking pictures of tourists visiting Hazarduari. He said, Some tourists have come to Hazarduari for a four-day long holiday. Tourists are probably panicking due to the pictures of chaos seen on TV and social media. But let me tell everyone that there is no trouble or unrest here. This area is completely peaceful. You can visit Murshidabad without any fear. Murshidabad District Council President Rubia Sultana said, The situation in Murshidabad is rapidly returning to normal due to administrative measures. Tourists can come to this district without any fear.’ The positive role of the district police administration has once again raised hopes among the people of Nawab Nagar associated with the tourism business. This weekend in the month of April is a public holiday. So, overcoming fear and hesitation, tourists will once again land on the land of Murshidabad like before. This is everyone’s hope.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
