For the Urgent Attention of: Hon: Chief Minister of Delhi. Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India Director of The Department of Archaeology SUB: Restoration Of A Heritage Site This is to bring to your notice the deplorable plight of Mirza Ghalib’s haveli, a 19th century building in Ballimaran, Chandni Chowk. As you know, it was declared a heritage site, following a Public Interest Litigation filed by Friends for Education. The state Archaeology Department vowed to protect this monument and as a first step, opened it to public as a museum in December 2000. Unfortunately the promises were made on paper alone. The haveli , situated in a crowded street of Old Delhi has withstood much abuse. Some of the Urdu couplets which adorned its walls have gone missing. The walls with Mughal Lakhori bricks are damaged. The sewer is blocked and the roof leaks. As the place where the great Urdu poet breathed his last, this monument holds much importance to us. We cannot afford to lose this piece of our cultural heritage. So as concerned citizens, we implore the government to start the renovation of the haveli at the earliest. Sincerely, On behalf of Friends for Education The undersigned