Chandbali: Once upon a time, this field was abuzz with activities. The king of Kanika’s court used to be here, cases were heard, punishments were awarded and fines were collected.
The field, measuring 6 acres and 75 decimals adjoining the Bhadrak-Chandbali main road, has since lost its sheen. With the district administration showing little interest, this field with rich historical past is lying neglected.
Reminiscing the past, the local elderly people describe the days when the court used to sit at the ground. There was a long thatched house to the north of the ground. The employees would live there. The king of Kanika used to stay here whenever he comes. The ground surrounded with boundary walls had flower and fruit bearing trees. Gardeners and watchmen were always on duty.
There was a pond named ‘Thana Pokhari’ in a corner of the field which is now silted up.
They also recount that there used to be a stone-spiked and tin-roofed warehouse called ‘Graingola’, having a capacity of holding 5000 paddy sacks. People would take paddy as loan and return after harvesting.
Since the practice of landlordism abolished, the ground has been put under the revenue department of the state government.
In 1957, Chandbali tehsil office started functioning from here. After 10 years, the office was shifted to Chandbali. Later some RI circle offices used to run from here.
Subsequently, Mato outpost, a kalian mandap and an Anganwadi centre have been founded in the ground. During festivals like Holi and Laxmipuja, fairs are being conducted here.
While all the Eucalyptus trees planted by the forest department were uprooted in the 1999 cyclone, the ground has now been left with few bel, mango, coconut and palm trees.
Some portions of the ground have already been encroached upon. The entire garbage generating from the local market and the nearby areas is being dumped on the ground, they said, adding the ground needs attention to get back its lost glory.
