How Then PM Chandra Shekhar Planned the Development of Bhondsi Hill Farm

Gustakhi Maaf Haryana — Pawan Kumar Bansal

As narrated by our esteemed reader Dr. Subhan Khan, Scientist & Project Incharge:

At that time, Dr. Subhan Khan was a Research Scientist and Project Incharge of the Natural Resources Database Management System (NRDMS) under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. The NRDMS District Computer Center was located at the Old Courts Complex and had been inaugurated by Prof. M.G.K. Menon, then Member of the Planning Commission, Government of India.

One day, Dr. Subhan Khan was contacted by the then SDM of Gurugram, Mr. Anand, who requested him to meet Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar at his Bhondsi Hill Farm.

Accordingly, Dr. Khan and Mr. Anand met Shri Chandra Shekhar at his temporary office at the Bhondsi farm. The Prime Minister greeted them humbly and discussed his vision of developing a farm in the Bhondsi hills.

For this purpose, the Prime Minister had also invited Supreme Court advocate Mr. M.C. Mehta. However, Mr. Mehta politely declined to assist, stating that the matter was not within his domain.

Dr. Subhan Khan, however, agreed to contribute, as planning through computer applications and remote sensing was his area of expertise. After a brief meeting, he returned and prepared a detailed research project proposal for the development work.

The proposal was submitted through an NGO to the National Wasteland Development Board (NWDB). The project received approval and funding, which contributed to the development of the Bhondsi hill forests.