Saif Gulshan, a two-storeyed structure built in the Indo-European style at Asifnagar, and the exquisite Chiran mosque at Jubilee Hills were among the six monuments which were announced as the recipients of the INTACH Heritage Award 2012 here on Wednesday. However, the custodians of the Chiran mosque neither responded to the offer, nor arrived at the venue to receive it.
The other award-winning structures were Dargah Syed Shah Moosa Quadri at Puranapul, Ashur Khana Hussaini Alam, Rashtrapathi Nilayam at Bolarum, and Osmansagar reservoir at Gandipet.
A citation was also given to Salar Jung Museum's authorities for restoring the tombs of the Salar Jungs.
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Government blasted
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, speaking after the awards ceremony, announced plans to collaborate with INTACH to restore the Golden Threshold (GT) building at Nampally to its original shape and convert it into a museum.
Former residence of poet and freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu, the structure is currently under the care of the University of Hyderabad. Removal of some additions and redoing of the roof, apart from establishing an open air theatre are part of the restoration scheme, he said.
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Co-convener of INTACH and Convener of the Awards Screening Committee, Sajjad Shahid, before announcing the names of the award-winning structures, came down heavily on the government, holding it responsible for rampant destruction of heritage. Iram Manzil, Jubilee Hall and the College of Nursing, among other listed heritage structures, have been violated for the Metro Rail project, he alleged.
On the other side, he lauded the government for restoring the G Block of Secretariat and clearing encroachments at the Badshahi Ashurkhana. Of the 150 nominations received, 24 structures were short-listed, and six selected, Mr.Shahid informed.
Jury for choosing the awardees was headed by senior architect Syed Anwar Aziz and comprised G.Deivanayagam of Tamil University, Thanjavur, and architect Shankar Narayan as members. The annual magazine of INTACH was released on the occasion.