Uttar Pradesh: 'Bareilly ka bazaar' finally gets its famed jhumka

BAREILLY: City’s long wait for a ‘jhumka’ (dome or bell-shaped chandelier earring) finally got over on Saturday, with Union minister of state (independent charge) and local MP Santosh Gangwar unveiling nearly 14-foot-high and two quintals heavy jhumka at the ‘zero-point’ on the National Highway 24 in Parsakhera area.
Although the city has no direct link with jhumka, taking a cue from the song ‘Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazaar Main’ from the 1966 blockbuster ‘Mera Saaya’, which inadvertently associated Bareilly with jhumka, three years ago, the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) conceived the project of installing a jhumka as an attraction for the tourists visiting the city.The project, however, hit roadblocks several times before taking a concrete shape.

Bareilly division commissioner Ranvir Prasad, local MLA Arun Kumar and Bollywood actor Mukesh Bharti were among prominent chief guests who lit the traditional lamp before Gangwar inaugurated the jhumka — embedded with colourful stones and decorated by city’s famous ‘zari’ embroidery.

Praising the BDA, MoS for labour and employment Gangwar said, “The collaborative effort made by the authority, various organisations and local residents in setting up of the ambitious jhumka in Bareilly is commendable. It looks beautiful and unique. Visitors will finally be able to associate the landmark jhumka in Bareilly with the evergreen song.”

The project costs BDA around Rs 18 lakh — Rs 8 lakh for the jhumka and Rs 10 lakh for the beautification of the landscape surrounding the main structure. Notably, no government money was used for the project, even as it faced fund crunch several times, said BDA officials.
Speaking to TOI, BDA vice-chairperson Divya Mittal said, “The jhumka was supposed to be inaugurated on the New Year eve, but it got delayed for some unavoidable reasons. The beautiful project is a collaborative effort among Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly International University and few other organisations, and local residents who helped BDA with funds in giving the shape to the ambitious project that would be considered a landmark.
“The location, design, decoration and several other things were decided by the authority, which employed skilled artisans who worked diligently ensuring that the jhumka becomes a major attraction for the tourists.”
BDA secretary AK Singh said, “Once the inauguration ceremony was over, people throng the venue to have a glimpse of the jhumka and were seen taking selfies and group photographs with the jhumka in their background.”
Bareilly district magistrate Nitish Kumar, DIG (Bareilly range) Rajesh Kumar Pandey, SSP Shailesh Kumar Pandey, prominent physician Dr Keshav Agarwal and senior BDA officers, including Mittal, were also present on the occasion.