Chennai Corporation is planning to redesign the landscape around Kaj Schmidt memorial on Elliot’s Beach following the restoration of the heritage structure.
On Friday, the Ambassador of Denmark Freddy Svane visited the heritage structure which has received a facelift with the reworking of intricate carvings, lattice window designs and floral artwork.
Thanking the Chennai Corporation and other agencies who contributed to the Rs. 15-lakh archaeological restoration work, Mr. Svane said the structure commemorated the gallantry of a young Dane who was an official of a big Danish company in Chennai in 1930.
“It is important that those who sacrifice their lives be remembered. I think it is a lesson we have to keep in mind, all of us,” said Mr. Svane. “I am proud to say he was a Dane. It is part of our legacy. It is part of our joint history,” he added.
Vice-consul of Denmark for south India S.B. Prabhakar Rao noted that Schmidt was just 30 years old when he died.
Having used the services of contractors experienced in archaeological restoration for this work, the Corporation has also decided to commission modern facilities to disseminate information on it.
Following a remark by the Ambassador on ‘misleading information’ about the memorial in certain media, the civic body has decided to provide a complete record of information for visitors.
