What if you were a rich guy and was fascinated with a relic, say Taj Mahal? Why not make a replica of that in your own backyard? Then you wouldn't have to visit India that frequently, considering the recent militant attack and all. You can enjoy the beauty of Taj right from your balcony every morning, when you wake up with that steaming cup of coffee or tea.
Ahsanullah Moni, a wealthy film maker, did the exact same thing. Of course he didn't build it in his backyard. Maybe because his backyard was too small, or he didn't entertain the idea of unknown people gathering in there. He has built it in Sonargaon, 30 km (20 miles) northeast of the capital Dhaka. "I built it to pay honor to Emperor Shahjahan and enable the ordinary people including students to have an idea about the heritage as most of them don't have scopes to visit Agra spending huge money," said Ahsanullah Moni, a proud owner of a three star hotel. Noble thought indeed.
The project is still under construction. It has supposedly cost a staggering amount of USD 58 million (£40 million). It has already opened its gate for tourists. Now the poor Bangaldeshis can feast their eyes on this replica of the "Monument Of Love" for a meager BDT 50 (USD 0.73).
Photo by our_bangladesh
"It is not built with a commercial purpose," insisted Moni. And I am the next Mother Teresa (err, male version, of course). Why else would the complex be large enough to accommodate a five-star motel, a huge film studio and amusement park? And why burden the poor countrymen with entrance fees?
What does the Indians, the real owners of the Taj, think?
“You can’t just go and copy historical monuments,” exclaimed an outraged spokesman of the Indian High Commission at Dhaka. “Someone will go out there and have a look. This [the original Taj Mahal] is a protected site we are talking about, so we need to find out if it really is the exact size.”
And his Bangladeshi counterpart was amused by the idea that the Taj Mahal - which was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and completed in 1653 - is protected by some sort of copyright. “I'm not sure what they are talking about,” he said. “Show me where it says that emulating a building like this can be illegal.”
Hmm, maybe this diplomatic tension will invoke a war? I can't wait! It's been a while since we gained independence and the seniors have been bumbling about it like crazy. Perhaps we, the younger generation, would get a chance to prove our merits?
Here is the interview of the visionary guy (read opportunist businessman) who masterminded this huge(!) project.
And more of the diplomatic melodrama.
Follow up
Ahsanullah Moni, a wealthy film maker, did the exact same thing. Of course he didn't build it in his backyard. Maybe because his backyard was too small, or he didn't entertain the idea of unknown people gathering in there. He has built it in Sonargaon, 30 km (20 miles) northeast of the capital Dhaka. "I built it to pay honor to Emperor Shahjahan and enable the ordinary people including students to have an idea about the heritage as most of them don't have scopes to visit Agra spending huge money," said Ahsanullah Moni, a proud owner of a three star hotel. Noble thought indeed.
The project is still under construction. It has supposedly cost a staggering amount of USD 58 million (£40 million). It has already opened its gate for tourists. Now the poor Bangaldeshis can feast their eyes on this replica of the "Monument Of Love" for a meager BDT 50 (USD 0.73).
Photo by our_bangladesh"It is not built with a commercial purpose," insisted Moni. And I am the next Mother Teresa (err, male version, of course). Why else would the complex be large enough to accommodate a five-star motel, a huge film studio and amusement park? And why burden the poor countrymen with entrance fees?
What does the Indians, the real owners of the Taj, think?
“You can’t just go and copy historical monuments,” exclaimed an outraged spokesman of the Indian High Commission at Dhaka. “Someone will go out there and have a look. This [the original Taj Mahal] is a protected site we are talking about, so we need to find out if it really is the exact size.”
And his Bangladeshi counterpart was amused by the idea that the Taj Mahal - which was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and completed in 1653 - is protected by some sort of copyright. “I'm not sure what they are talking about,” he said. “Show me where it says that emulating a building like this can be illegal.”
Hmm, maybe this diplomatic tension will invoke a war? I can't wait! It's been a while since we gained independence and the seniors have been bumbling about it like crazy. Perhaps we, the younger generation, would get a chance to prove our merits?
Here is the interview of the visionary guy (read opportunist businessman) who masterminded this huge(!) project.
And more of the diplomatic melodrama.
Follow up
No comments:
Post a Comment