Srimanta Sankardev Bhawan

New Delhi, July 8: It was supposed to be the hub of Assamese culture in the national capital. Instead, it has become the symbol of a dream gone sour.

Five years after the construction of the first cultural complex of Assam began in the national capital, it is in the doldrums for want of funds.

Named Srimanta Sankardev Bhawan, the complex was supposed to have been completed two years ago. Efforts by the Assam Association to generate funds ? the cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 1.5 crore ? have gone in vain.

The association is now planning to seek Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s help to resuscitate the project. ?As a rule, Rajya Sabha members are not allowed to release money from the MPs? local area development Fund for projects outside their states. But the Prime Minister may be able to provide some assistance from other sources,? said B.C. Bora, a former chairman of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and president of the association.

Last week, a delegation from the association met Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi in New Delhi and urged him to arrange for financial assistance. Another Rs 42 lakh is required to complete the project.

The problem would have been partially solved had the Municipal Corporation of Delhi released the Rs 20 lakh that was donated by nominated Rajya Sabha member Kuldip Nayar. The association intends to request Nayar to take up the issue with the municipal authorities.

Located at the posh Qutab Institutional Area of South Delhi, the three-storeyed complex is supposed to be a 10,000-square feet structure. The basement will house an art gallery, a rehearsal room, a library and a multipurpose hall, while the upper floors will have an office, an auditorium, a conference hall, an open-air theatre, a canteen and three dormitories.

The project map includes a school for Sattriya and other dance forms of Assam. A short-term certificate course in Assamese has been planned, too.

New Delhi has a nearly 50,000-strong Assamese community. Major events like Rongali Bihu functions are held at Nehru Park, but the lack of a permanent venue makes it difficult for the community to hold regular programmes.

Writer Mamoni Raisom Goswami, one of the prominent members of the capital?s Assamese community, believes a cultural centre will serve a two-fold purpose.?First, it will help propagate Assamese culture in the capital. It could also be another step towards ending the state?s isolation from the mainstream. There are many people who want to know more about Assam, but don?t know how or where.?

Manoj Das, general secretary of the Assam Association, echoed her. ?Once the centre is complete, we will not have to run from pillar to post searching for a suitable place for our events,? he said.

Another objective is to provide cheap accommodation to students. The number of students coming to New Delhi from Assam for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at various universities is increasing every year. But only a handful get accommodation at Assam Bhavan and Assam House.