MONUMENTAL NEGLECT

 

 

 

WHILE I HAVE ALL RESPECT FOR THE INTENTIONS BEHIND THE STATEMENT OF ISRO CHAIRMEN PROF. KASTURIRANGAN, OF WHAT USE IS BUILDING NEW MONUMENTS, WHEN THOUSANDS OF OUR SURVIVING MONUMENTS ARE IN SHAMBLES?

 

 

THE INNER WALLS of the Charminar, the towering landmark of Hyderabad, has been defiled by graffiti and the plaster is peeling off at many places. The Archaeological Survey of India is the caretaker of this heritage structure, built by the founder of Hyderabad and Nawab of Golconda, Quli Qutub Shah, in 1591.

 

 

'Build monument in Bangalore, like Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty'

Bangalore, Sept. 8 (PTI): Former ISRO Chairman K Kasturirangan today mooted the idea of creating a monument for Karnataka here -- something like Eiffel Tower in Paris and Statue of Liberty in New York -- symbolising the spirit of the State.

Addressing the annual convention of the Bangalore Management Association here, the Rajya Sabha member said a monument for Karnataka that symbolises the spirit of the State, entrepreneurship, adventurism, culture and social ethos, was needed.

He also said 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the State's formation."Let's build the monument," the former Space Commission member said.

"When I think about the monument (for Karnataka), it's something like what an Eiffel Tower in Paris and Statue of Liberty in New York, but in a different context. Maybe we should think about it."

He stressed the need for "inclusive growth", and on increased focus on social sector, saying people should not get a "feeling of alienation". Projects cannot be completed on fast-track basis unless substantial sections of people have a stake in it.

Bangalore's infrastructure should be improved in such a way that it would cater to the requirements even after 50 years and hold good even for centuries, Kasturirangan advocated."We have to think locally, and act globally."

He also suggested instituting 100,000 scholarships so that students of Karnataka are able to study in best of the institutions in the State and outside.

Given the extent of taxes collected by the State, he said it (offering 100,000 scholarships) "is not something which is inconceivable. We have to think big."