Imphal, January 22: Looking at the present deplorable condition of the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre at Palace Compound, one might hesitate to call it a pride of Manipur.

The theatre was constructed in 1996 with the stated main objective of giving a platform (figuratively as well as literally) for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Manipur.

But thanks to State Government's apathy and an equally insensitive public, the prestigious cultural complex, popularly known as BOAT has been reduced to merely a hot spot of cultural potpourri and no concern for its upkeep at all.

Though a large amount of income derived from hiring out the theatre to any sundry organizations for holding functions in the name of entertainment goes to the kitty of the Arts and Culture Department, the maintenance level at the theatre is a big zero.

Rusted gate, broken glowballs and a wide expanse of untidy ground is what greets one when one step inside the complex.

Mosses now adorn the walls and cracks have started developing on the gallery of the theatre.

Every kind of entertainment programme or function both the by public and private organizations are being held here almost on a daily basis since the day the theatre was inaugurated.

The hiring charge of the theatre for any programme or function is said to be Rs 9000 including a refundable amount of Rs 2000 as security deposit for any damage on the properties that might occur during the course of organizing a programme.

Thus, if we were to assume that on an average just five programmes are organized in a month, at least Rs 35,000 would go as revenue to the Art and Culture Dept.

But the big question is where has all this huge amount gone to.

Maintenance, it appears is the last thing on the mind of the Art and Culture Dept But what is most intriguing to the minds of many is where does all the income go.

There is no sign of any maintenance works being done.

Almost all the decorative bulbs and glowballs have been broken.

The security deposits are actually meant for the maintenance of this bulbs and glowballs.

It is questionable whether the security^ deposit is simply refunded without deducting anything for the wear and tear caused.

And if at all the necessary amounts were deducted, then where has the money gone.

The gallery of the theatre is also in a precarious condition with cracks appearing at many places.

Here also, it would be in the appropriateness of things if the authorities concerned find out why the cracks have come up so soon.

The insensitive public who come to enjoy the programmes have also as much to blame for the present state of the theatre.

They need to observe some civic sense at least.

Empty plastic packages, mineral water bottles, remnants of food particles etc left behind by them after a programme present a real eyesore.

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