When Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah came to power next time in 1975, he was
worried that the valley was totally developed by his predecessor Bakhshi Ghulam
Mohammad and no work for execution was left for him. Sheikh Abdul Salam the
then Chief Engineer was equally worried lest Sheikh Abdullah questioned him for
his disproportionate wealth to his known resources.
The senior Sheikh sent a word to the junior one. The junior Sheikh
nervously and apprehensively responded to the call.
The Senior Sheikh: "Let
you give me an estimate for replacement of the ceiling ('vasea talav') to my
house in the Nedou's premises."
The junior said: "Hardly round about five to six."
Before he concluded, the senior said: "Five to six thousand is
affordable for me. Go ahead with the job."
The junior executed the work that cost him more than 10 lac. Both knew
the unspoken language. The senior said: " Bakhsi has almost completed all
the developmental works, suggest some that could be undertaken."
For want of any work to
execute, the junior Sheikh suggested filling of Nallie Maer to convert the same
into a circular road and after its completion excavation to manage drainage.
Sources said that the senior Sheikh compensated the junior Sheikh for the
replacement of the ceiling of the Sheikh’s
private house at Neduo's premises
at the cost of the government exchequer. All technocrats were surprised for
such a foolish Tagluki venture that would anytime sink the city in response even to a drizzle.
It is pertinent to say here that when Sheikh Abdullah was released in the year around 1962, Bakhshi paid a courtesy call on his erstwhile leader and said to him that if he was left at Lalchowk, he would get lost and would fail to locate his way to his home at Soura.
Such was the developed city that it would be a stranger's land to him.
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