Maha Governor pitches for protection of historical monuments

Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao today assured to take up the issue of protection of three historical sites- Azad Maidan, August Kranti Maidan and Sardar Gruh- with the state government and said he would urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare them as national monuments.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the condition of these three historical sites in the city, Rao said, "How can we keep these places in such a bad condition? In fact, they should be places of inspiration."
The Governor was speaking after a presentation was made before him on these sites by Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
"As India celebrates its 70th Independence Day, it would be extremely welcoming if we chalk out a time-bound plan for the makeover of all the historic places in Mumbai that had played a critical role in India's freedom struggle," he said.

Rao also asked the ORF to start a signature campaign to actualise this mission and said that he will personally visit these places.
Currently, Azad Maidan is in the custody of PWD ministry of Maharashtra, August Kranti Maidan in the custody of civic body, while the Sardar Gruh is looked after by a private entity with government's support.

Azad Maidan gets its name from its association with India's First War of Independence in 1857, while August Kranti Maidan is where Mahatma Gandhi gave the clarion call of 'Quit India' on 8 August 1942. Sardar Gruh, a building opposite Crawford Market in south Mumbai had hosted Lokmanya Tilak and several other freedom fighters.

ORF Mumbai Chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni welcomed the Governor's decision to support the cause. "It is a tragedy that the government and civic body have failed to properly maintain these places. The neglect and degradation of the monuments is akin to insult of the heroes and martyrs of the Freedom Movement. It is an insult to the tricolour itself."
"This must stop. It is the collective responsibility of the government and people to restore the sanctity of these places so that the present and future generations can derive patriotic knowledge and inspiration from them," Kulkarni said.
ORF Mumbai made an appeal to the Prime Minister to personally intervene in this issue and announce a nation-wide plan to save and transform all places that are linked to the Freedom Movement by the end of 2017.

On the occasion, the Governor also released the report "India @ 70 - Revival of India's Freedom Movement Heritage" co-produced by ORF Mumbai and Ratan J Batliboi Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (RJBCPL) at the function held at Raj Bhavan, attended by the hosts of NGOs working for the betterment of the city spaces.