Bids invited for the Manekchowk bldng; but heritage activists want it to be made into a museum
At a time when this city is making big plans to preserve its monumental heritage, the historical building of the Ahmedabad Stock Exchange (ASE) in Manekchowk area, with its marvellous structural design and rich cultural heritage of the walled city, is likely to become a chapter in the pages of history books.
The ASE is going to sell the age old building situated in the heart of the walled city. This building is also one of the attractions for the Ahmedabad Heritage Walk. The stock market body has invited bids for this building and expects to get more than Rs10 crores from its sale.
However, heritage activists are demanding that the building be converted into a museum. "The stock market building is more than 100 years old. The government or AMC should make a museum for ancient documents in the building," said Ashutosh Bhatt of Khadia Itihas Samiti.
Bhatt opined, "Ahmedabad was a major centre of business at that time and the government mint was situated in Kalupur, close to the stock market. There are many ancient documents and coins still available which can be preserved in the museum."
He further said, "The government should take interest in this matter as Ahmedabad is celebrating 600 years of its history."
The 100-odd-year-old building is not only of structural value but also contains memoirs of the old tradition of stock trading by shouting and finger sign language. Stock dealers and traders of Manekchowk still remember the days of the jam-packed market.
"Though stock trading is at present done by keystroke of computer in air-conditioned chambers, I cannot forget the days when one had to trade stocks by shouting and special signs of fingers," said Chinubhai Choksi, a trader of Manekchowk and vice-president of Choksi Mahajan, an umbrella body of jewellers of the area.
"I personally believe that the building is part of a valuable structural and cultural history of the city. Therefore the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation should come forward to restore it. This building has helped bring prosperity to the city." said Chinubhai who is doing business for 45 years in a shop opposite the old stock market.
Another stock trader and jeweller Chandrakant Soni has fond memories of the stock market. He said, "It is not only me but thousands of people who are connected with the old stock market. It brought economical prosperity to the surrounding area, as people from different parts of the city used to visit the building."
However, Soni regrets that, "Now tradition and generation is changed and the building is standing without being used."
Stock market lane is popular for food
An interesting fact is connected with the stock market building. The lane of the building is very popular among foodies of the city. Many Amdavadis are fond of the mouth-watering panipuri, bhel, chaat, bhajiya, namkeen, chavana, lassi, sandwich, samosa and many more snacks sold in the vicinity of the building. The Share Bazar Chavana is also famous among food lovers.
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