Today on 20th Nov. 2022, we had thought of carrying out a complete cleaning up of Seri-Manch, Gandhi Chowk, Terrace of Sunken Garden Market also known as Indira market and surrounding areas mainly looked 
upon as face of Mandi town. I reached at about 6.45 am by walking up to the Seri Manch from Khalihar where I am residing at present in leased accommodation. It was also a part of my morning walk process and on reaching there I found that few of the team members had reached, few were on the way and many had not reached yet.
I took the round of the terrace and found that lot had improved since we carried out the cleaning campaign few weeks back, prior to the assembly polls and it was a great success, although the water from the Jal Shakti Vibhag hydrant had fallen short that day. After waiting for few minutes about 30 swachhta mitras arrived and cleaning process was undertaken swiftly without waiting further. The pipes were connected to Hydrant and process began. I had curiosity of visiting the inner lanes of the town just foe taking stock of existing cleanliness status and therefore I left the seri manch for a while and followed one of the inner lane (gali) so that I could know about cleanliness and also for knowing as which lane connects which other place. 
Before following down the lane, I just looked back towards the Seri Manch and it was looking really mesmerising and I couldn’t stop myself to click it from my mobile camera which is not of very good pixel count but still seems good. The view of the Gandhi Chowk in early morning is really breathtaking and because the place is really clean because of the efforts of our swachhta mitras, cleanliness added to the beauty of the Gandhi Chowk.
The old wooden court building and District library building added to the beauty of this place and I felt compelled to click the picturesque scene of these great buildings standing right in front of me.
I followed the down lane originating from Chohatta known as Chanderlok Gali and found that it was quite a long walk of about 200 metres down and it finally ended near Shiva Bowdi ( very famous and sacred natural water source) which is under renovation and by now the civil work is almost over and soon the bowdi will be receiving final touch. The repair work is being carried by the Jal Shakti Vibhag and of course the funds are provided Municipal Corporation Mandi for re-construction and repair of almost all the natural water bodies in the town. I walked further 
towards Hanuman Ghat where the major crematorium of the town is situated . The gali and paths were really clean and drains were clear with no dirt and other material was seen throughout my walk till the Victoria Bridge and I was really happy to find lot of change in the situation of cleanliness. I was feeling thankful to the swachhta mitras from deep within my heart for undertaking the swachhta mission as their major activity and providing this great service to the town.
After Moving ahead I encountered the charming beauty of VICTORIA Bridge which was seemingly welcoming me and reminding me of the past when even the buses used to enter Mandi through this bridge . I could not help stop myself to draw out my mobile phone camera and take photographs of this ancient heritage of Mandi Town. 
I would like to present brief facts about the Victoria Bridge and the newly built Victoria Bridge here. The famous Victoria Bridge links Purani Mandi and present Mandi town. The majestic ruler of Mandi, Raja Vijay Singh built this mesmerizing bridge with the help of Britishers in 1877. The Bridge reminds the hanging Victoria Bridge on Thames River. It is like stylistic Jhulla bridges but surprisingly it can carry small vehicles. However, as this is a value bridge to Government of Himachal Pradesh, CM Jai Ram 
Thakur in 2019 built and inaugurated another bridge named Sardar Patel Bridge (or New Victoria Bridge) near Victoria Bridge and it was opened for transport. Victoria Bridge was closed for all means of transport after its 142 years of service.
In 2020, a majestic thanksgiving ceremony was organized by Himachal Pradesh Government’s Mandi branch, Mandi council and National Culture Fund. The Bridge was decorated with flowers and
carpets and a worshipping “yajna” ceremony was offered. This gentle gesture was done to show respect to the Majestic bridge which suffered so much onslaughts of river flood but stood tall and gave service for 142 years. As the Govt of state assured that the bridge would be maintained and rigorously repaired so that the heritage of Mandi town could be kept intact.
It was a great experience today while working with our real heroes who start their job at 5 am early in the morning when we stay back in our warm beds because of freezing cold morning but they are brave enough to move out and start their job by removing and collecting the garbage so that the live of the residents of the town could be put at ease.
Really great morning I have expereinced today. Thanks to all and salute to Heritage of Mandi TOWN, VICTORIA BRIDGE.