Jahangir Siddiqui
Understandably, the first eighteen months of EFT after its inception in 2008 were consumed with the teething problems of formulating a working mechanism for the organization, which were ironed out by the Trust in four initial meetings. From the time the first EOI was considered in February 2010 until 2014, the board has considered 113 proposals, of which 104 have been approved. However, despite availability of funds, work on 13 conservation projects has been initiated of which only two projects stand completed. Progress on projects is very slow for a number of reasons. The conservation of historic buildings is a difficult and time-consuming job. It demands the use of the original traditional materials (i.e. stone for stone, brick for brick, mud for mud, lime for lime, chiroli for chiroli, teakwood for teakwood, and so on), along with their particular specifications and the skilled labor equipped with the traditional knowledge needed for authentic conservation. This skilled labor, while abundant in British India, soon fell prey to advancement in construction techniques that were not compatible with or sympathetic to traditional materials, which has led to a dearth of such materials and knowledge today. EFT has taken on the responsibility of reviving some of these dying traditional methods by employing them in the conservation process, and by training craftsmen in the use and benefits of authentic and sustainable restoration. One big hurdle faced by the EFT is the commissioning of technical personnel and works which we intend to overcome by training a team for the purpose. Situations often arise in which certain proposals are withdrawn after the project has been signed with the EFT; a list of such projects has also been provided in this report. Some of these projects on which work has been suspended include the Mir palaces and havelis in Khairpur, and the Sirai Mujahid Hussain Jumani House in Kot Diji, but they are currently in the process of being reactivated as work has started at the White Palace at Kot Diji. Earlier EFT had published a report covering the period 2008 to 2012, this report covers upto mid 2015. It is a public document and we invite views and advice to make it an effective body in order to put a check to our vanishing heritage. My colleagues and I are aware of the colossal task that lies ahead of us, the entire province is littered with heritage assets that warrant attention nay immediate attention. Restoration and conservation is a slow process, knowledgeable and forthcoming experts are also difficult to find, rarely do we come across voluntary workers. Regrettably patience is elusive and self styled experts spare no stone unturned to complain at different levels, but we move on doing our bit. It is always invigorating and refreshing to find friends who are sympathetic to our cause. We wish everybody well.
Chairman
Endowment Fund Trust,
for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh.