After the green cover,is it the City’s landmarks?

After the green cover,is it the City’s landmarks?
Shifting the Minsk Square to facilitate the proposed underground expressway will spell the death knell for the City’s landmarks,opine experts
Vijay TImes

BANGALORE : The proposal to acquire, dig-up and relocate the historic Minsk Square war memorial for construction of an underground expressway and a metro station and has received the thumbs down from war veterans.

The memorial has immense sentimental value to those who served in the forces and participated in the Kashmir Operations, the NEFA Operations 1962, the India-Pakistan Wars 1965 and 1971 noted some retired defence officers when contacted by Vijay Times.

Former Naval Chief, Admiral Dawson, an old-time Banglorean who also served as Indias Ambassador to New Zealand and Ex- ADC to the President of India said, "The decision of the authorities to construct a station beneath something as historic as the MInsk Square is totally wrong. Historical landmarks such as these have been built with a purpose. They also teach the youth who might have never heard or known about the glorious deeds of men with valour. The Minsk Square in particular has been excellently preserved. Constructed after World War I, its destruction should be avoided. The government would do well if proper town planning is done when constructing such mega projects. Technical aspects on the depth of excavation have to be assessed." Air Marshal (Retd) Kingley, a war veteran of 40 years of service in the Indian Air Force reminiced,"The Minsk Square has been a place which men in the services revere. It definitly saddens me to lose a place of such historical significance. If it is in the interest of the state and the infrastructure requirement is for common good, its okay, but it should be so only as a last resort. The annual Rememberance Day ceremony held at the the square to honour men in uniform is attended by veterans from the forces. It is a nostalgic event. I would press for its restoration later if it has to be moved for project purposes. I would be sorry if it is not replaced. The India Gate is an example of such monuments. If it is preserved, why not the Minsk Square" he questioned.

General Narasimhan (Retd) said "Soldiers in India are a forgotten lot. We are needed only in times of war and rescue operations during floods. We neglect those who served for the nation. It is Jai Jawan in times of war and utter disregard soon after whether it is preservation of war memorials or honouring the dead. As long as the government gives an undertaking to restore the memorial by numbering objects of historical value and preservation of the bronze statue of the unknown soldier at a museum, its fine. A holistic approach to issues of sentimental value to those who served the nation is required." City-based historian, Ronnie Johnson opined, "I only bring a thought to mind, my friend, the late T P Issar in his book City Beautiful immortalizes and covers the heritage and beauty of the City of Bangalore. Removing the Minsk Square will have to involve removing the circle of beautiful colourful flowering 100 year old trees around the Monument. No cut-andcover method can ever replace these trees. Planting new trees will never give the same ambience to the monument, and I am sure the area will be encroached for the station.

It is surprising that the Army has not taken care of the monument, and in fact handed it over to HAL to look after. We will probably end up with the monument paralleling our Citys Circles, and perhaps following the brilliantlly designed Hudson Memorial that disappeared completely, replaced by an obelisk! On paper, everything looks great, but in practice and reality it will be a death knell to the landmarks of the City. Can we not take a leaf out of Calcutta. Mumbai, and cities of Europe, the way they preserve their heritage buildings and landmarks? Dont forget that in the during the construction of flyovers connecting Mission Road - KH Road - Residency Road - Richmond Road, many trees were cut down. Have they all been replaced? Its time we stop destroying Bangalores landmarks too." he said.

War veterans see irreverence in Minsk Square plan