Monument wall caves in

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 10. A wall of the Independence Golden Jubilee Monument built at a cost of Rs.44 lakhs before the Government Secretariat, caved in today. The monument was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister, Mr.E.K.Nayanar, on March 27, last.

The laterite bricks with which the monument was constructed collapsed following the heavy rain which lashed the city during the past two days. The other walls of the monument too are likely to crumble soon.

The work which began in January 2000 was completed by the artist, Mr. K.P.Soman, in March last. The monument which looks like an excavated archaeological site reminisces Mohanjedaro and Harappa or Mesopotamia.

The Government had invited Mr. Soman, to undertake this work. The monument, which was claimed to visualise the history of human race in general and the Indians in particular is in a very bad shape for want of proper maintenance.

Sculpturally and architecturally articulated space shows the motifs of the evolution of culture and history. The site spreads out indicators of human evolution from the Stone Age, the Indus Valley and the Mesopotamian civilisations to the present times. The `site sculpture' has multi levels. There is an artificial mount about six feet high.

Sculptures of small size, varying from terracotta and wood to metal and ceramics, installed on the monument are all in a dilapidated condition. Secretariat sources said the semi- dark chamber beneath the mount is also in a bad shape. The General Administration Department is reported to have asked the Public Works Department to present a report on the safety of the monument. The report is likely to be submitted in the next few days.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Secretariat Association president, Mr.K.Sudevan, and the general secretary, Mr.G.Ramachandran Nair, have demanded a probe into the construction. They alleged that the LDF Government had involved in corrupt practices in the construction of the monument.

The Independence Golden Jubilee monument wall before the Secretariat which caved in on Tuesday.

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Section  : Southern States
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