As the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) is preparing to set up a park in memory of the air crash victims near the Kuloor bridge, the district administration has sought suggestions from architects and artists on the design of the monument to be placed in the park.
At a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim here on Saturday, Rajappa, Superintending Engineer of NMPT, said Rs. 3 lakh had been set apart for it. A sum of Rs. 35 lakh would be spent on the park, which is coming up on the nearly one-acre land of the port along the Phalguni, where some of the bodies among the 158 victims of the crash on May 22, 2010, were buried.
Architects Nelson Pais and Venkatesh Pai from Architects Guild said the suggestions of architects and artists from different parts of the country could be sought for the design of the monument. Mr. Pais said the best suggestion could be given a cash reward. The NMPT would not bear its cost. “We will search for agencies to give this reward,” Mr. Pais said. The process of selection would be over in a month, he added.
Artist Akthar Hussain, a Professor in the Department of Orthodontics of Yenepoya University, placed before Mr. Ibrahim a model of a plane that could be installed. The plane made of granite would have all names of the crash victims. Mr. Rajappa said the NMPT would also go ahead with planting trees and other saplings in the area. Mr. Ibrahim suggested the use of a portion of the land in the park for planting rose plants in memory of each victim. Mr. Rajappa said the park would be ready by October. Arrangements had been made to maintain the park, Mr. Rajappa added.
Mangalore Air Crash Victims’ Families Association president Mahammad Beary thanked the Deputy Commissioner and the NMPT for realising the long-felt need for a memorial.
