A tale of neglect for these city landmarks

A tale of neglect for these city landmarks
By: Manjunath L Hanji Date: 2010-08-16 Place: Bangalore




In a clear case of a country forgetting its heroes, statues of Subhash Chandra Bose and Dr B R Ambedkar in front of Vidhan Soudha remained unwashed even as the nation celebrated its 63rd year of Independence yesterday.

Attendants assigned to the duty are allegedly busy with other chores.

This reporter witnessed the embarrassment of police staff who were present on the spot, when a few visitors asked them about the apparent state of neglect the statues were in.

"You better ask the administration people," was the reluctant answer.


Subhash Chandra Bose's statue opposite Vidhan Soudha has not been cleaned since January 23.


Years ago, these statues were installed with great enthusiasm and fanfare, which has apparently worn off.

Neglected

The statues are hardly cleaned on their respective anniversaries. They are only adorned with garlands on same days, but are neglected on other days. Even dried and drying garlands are left untouched, for months.

As a final insult, the statues have accumulated bird droppings on them. The statues attract a lot of tourists, who are often keen to take pictures. But now these statues hardly get visitors.

A Vidhan Soudha security guard, on the condition of anonymity, told this reporter, "I saw cleaners washing Subhash Chandra Bose's statue on January 23, since it was his birth anniversary.

Our job is to guard the Vidhan Soudha. The government has appointed people to clean and maintain these statues, but it is hardly done. They should have been cleaned, since it was our Independence Day."

Unfit

Balakrishna L, a visitor, said, "The government should be ashamed. But we are to blame because its us who elected them in the first place.

They should find dedicated people for the job, since the assigned people are clearly unfit for the job."

Ashok Prasad, vice president, Bharatiya Samanta Swatantrya Sangrama said, "It is a matter of national pride. Respecting the statues is as important as the national flag. The people responsible should be punished."