Pareekshith Shet
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Oct 10: The radio tower in the town which once stood proudly above the skyline of the once tiny town, and which pertains to the pre-independence era, is lying in under neglect now. Old people who had witnessed the majestic presence of the tower in the past hope that the tower, which has not been maintained since decades and also the park where it stands, get rejuvenated soon.
This was the spot that was very important in the lives of the people once. Gandhiji, who was staunchly against liquor consumption, had rested under the tower during his visit here. At this holy spot, we can see drunkards whiling away time. Liquor bottles and sachets can be found strewn all over the place.
The heap of garbage thrown by all and sundry, stack of plates used by citizens during Gandhi Jayanti program, dilapidated tower control room, street light that is non-functional, rusted fountain, as well as graffiti on the walls, narrate the story of Bhujanga Garden where the tower stands, to visitors who have time to have a look at this sorry state of affairs.
The tower, built during the British era, was providing entertainment to the people by loudly giving away music, news etc transmitted by the radio. The alarm it sounded at 7 am every day could be heard by people from Ajjarkad to Ambalpady areas. Many people, who were unwilling to pay license fee of Rs 10 per year for using radio, used to frequent this garden to listen to the radio. Many had made it a practice to gather near the tower to discuss things, learn music etc
The municipality, if it was interested, could have developed the spot and given the radio a new lease of life. On the other hand, it could have at least improved the looks of the area by cleaning the mess and making the garden beautiful. But lack of interest seems to bother it. While former municipal councillor, Srikanth, acted immediately and promised to develop the region within two months, Manjunathaiah, who succeeded Srikanth, says he has no time to discuss the issue for sometime.
The senior citizens have been seeking renovation of the garden but there has been no positive response from the municipality or district in-charge minister, Pramod Madhwaraj. Rajya Sabha member, Oscar Fernandes however, is the only person who has evinced interest in tithe development of this garden.
The radio centre then was known as Bhijanga Nilaya. Gandhi had taken rest here in 1934. People wish that the garden is developed, the radio comes to life again, and the importance of this garden is made known to people. That would be a better tribute to the Father of the Nation than just garlanding the bust of Gandhiji here once a year on his birth anniversary, having food, and throwing away plates under the tower.