The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Nizam jewels' expo may be held again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 09, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Nizam jewels' expo may be held again

J.S. Ifthekhar

Centre studying proposal sent by Salar Jung Museum to hold exhibition

SHOWCASING A TREASURE : The eastern block in the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad, which is ready to display the Nizam's jewels. — Photo D. Gopalakrishnan

HYDERABAD: The fabulous Nizam's jewels may dazzle the Hyderabadis once again. The Salar Jung Museum (SJM), which hosted the jewels' show in November 2001, has recently sent a proposal in this regard following the interest shown by the Government of India.

The SJM has informed the Ministry of Culture that the expenditure for holding the exhibition for a limited period of two months will be Rs. 1.4 crores. "If the Government of India gives the green signal, we are ready to organise the jewellery exhibition within a short time," said A.K.V.S. Reddy, Director, SJM.

MP's initiative

The prospects of getting the jewels to Hyderabad have brightened following the interest being taken by the Hyderabad MP, Asaddudin Owaisi. While the Centre is not enthusiastic to his idea of bringing the gems to Hyderabad on a permanent basis, it has agreed to hold the exhibition for a limited period in the city.

The Union Minister for Culture, S. Jaipal Reddy, is believed to have told Mr. Owaisi to have periodic exhibitions of the royal jewels, it is said.

Lost opportunity

The shifting stand of the Telugu Desam Government on finding a permanent home for the jewels is stated to have cost the city its precious treasure. Initially, Chow Mohalla Palace and King Koti were suggested as possible places to house the jewels. But they were overruled by the Centre on security grounds. Thereafter, SJM authorities requested the State Government to acquire the kela mandi adjacent to the museum and sanction Rs. 5 crores for constructing a building to keep the jewels.

The TDP Government rejected this proposal too. A new structure built according to safety norms would have reduced the expenditure on security by 50 per cent, it is said.

Later, the Government agreed to acquire the site, but wanted the Centre to foot the cost of construction. There was yet another proposal from the TDP Government. This time to keep the jewellery in the gems and jewellery park proposed at Road No. 10, Banjara Hills. This dilly-dallying stand led to the Centre changing its mind on keeping the jewels permanently in Hyderabad, it is said.

However, Hyderabadis can, at least, look forward to periodic exhibition of the shahi zevarat. The eastern block in the museum, where the jewels were earlier displayed, is ready to receive the precious collection.

The green carpet imported from Belgium, the fibre optic lights and security gadgets brought from the UK and other paraphernalia are intact. So are the 29 specially built showcases. If the Centre okays the proposal, one can set eyes on the 173 pieces of jewellery, including the 184.75 carat uncut Jacob diamond, very soon.

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