Bright hues dimmed

KANPUR: The city that has undergone a makeover from the time of black and white British era to the blaze of a thriving city will complete its 208 years on Thursday. From the time Jajmau Treaty was signed in 1760s and the Britishers developed it as a trade centre, the Manchester of East has followed revolutionary path to establish itself on the map of the country.
From Nana Saheb to Tatya Tope and Azizan Bai, many revolutionaries who have taken birth on this land have given the city an important place in the history of India. However, on the day of Kanpur Diwas, it is this golden historical background of the Industrial City that has raised questions amongst the 21st century Kanpurites on why the city is losing its sheen due to lack of infrastructure facility, safety for women, higher education and health.
Completing its journey from 'Kanhapur' to 'Cawnpore' and finally 'Kanpur' the Industrial City has covered almost two centuries. But, according to the masses, with the passing of time, the city has entered a crippling state due to poor infrastructure that has affected its overall development. The consequences are being mostly faced by the young budding talent who after completing their secondary education are no longer willing to complete their higher studies, at least from the city. Though the city has many prominent technical institutes like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and HBTI in its kitty, it is still lacking in higher education.
Head of department, history, Christ Church College, SP Singh, who has given 30 years to the field of academics, believes that for the past 12-13 years, there has been a trend that prospective students are not staying in the city. They are either moving to Delhi or Bangalore to be a part of the competitive world. "There was a time when Kanpur was an educational pull, but now it is finding it hard to maintain that quality. Since the city is not developed like corporate cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad or Noida, students after completing their XII opt for other universities and colleges instead of confining themselves to city university. Therefore, first the infrastructure of the city should be improved, followed by development of corporate sector which can tempt students into staying back and working for the betterment of their own city."
While the city that was once an industrial hub and could have evolved as a promising economic city is today dependent on only tanneries. It was only after the First Revolt for Independence that Kanpur emerged as one of the important industrial hubs of British India when the Elgin Mill was started, a government harness and saddlery factory was set up and then other leather, cotton and textile industries started coming into the picture. According to old government records, during the time of independence, the city emerged as the fourth largest manufacturing hub in regard to textile and leather industries in the country.
Although the closing down of textile giants like Elgin Mill and Lal Imli gave a setback to the industrial class of the city, the revival of the JK Jute Mill and JK Cotton Mill revived hopes for the re-starting of the closed mills. Undoubtedly closure of prominent mills has affected the overall development of Kanpur.
Kanpur, which is associated with personalities like Rani Lakshmi Bai and Azizan Bai, is finding it hard to ensure safety of women. "The recent incidence of sex abuse against girl child in the city have made me think to what extent women are unsafe in the city. Leave apart the incidents of chain snatching or eve-teasing-- that have become normal episodes-- cases of sexual abuse against minor girls has raised a question over the current law and order situation in city. I truly believe its only due the lackadaisical attitude of the police department that fails to provide safer living to the women," said Sheetal Kashyap, a bank employee.
One of the freedom fighters of the city remarked that the young crowd is least passionate about raising voice against social evils, rising crime rate and poor infrastructure of the city. "The fact is people are accepting things to which they are exposed," Ram Kishore Mishra, a freedom fighter stated. "Basic necessities like water, electricity, well-maintained infrastructure are not only a must for the city dwellers but they are the factors that decide the growth rate of a place. But with city lacking all such basic facilities its hard to think its progress going in positive direction. I am fed up of taking bumpy rides, sleepless night in absence of electricity. I just want to ask a question to city administration: Is their any end to woes of Kanpurites?"
"Two hundred years back, people were fighting against alien rule and slavery. But, now, masses will have to protest against their own government to utilise their taxes for the overall development of infrastructure, safety, education and health," he claimed.