Members of Bandar Bandhuvulu (BB), a social network group, on Sunday removed flex boards and hoardings in and around the Thornhill memorial, a historic landmark at the Koneru Centre here since the late 1880s. A memorial was arguably built in 1886, commemorating the services rendered by then Machilipatnam Chief Magistrate G. Thornhill after the 1864 cyclone.
Thornhill had striven to contain post-cyclone deaths due to spread of diseases after the coast was hit by the severe cyclonic storm on November 1, 1864.
According to local historians, the area of the memorial was also known as ‘Tilak Chowk’ during the freedom struggle in the early 1900s.
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Realising the need for conservation and beautification of the memorial, the group members including girls have come up with a six-week initiative, determining to remove any hoarding, apart from beautifying it on every Sunday.
Many of their friends from Hyderabad and other cities also joined them on Sunday, turning the memorial into an attractive spot.
“I am sure that many others would join us following the determined approach and efforts of the group (BB) in making the Koneru centre a lovable spot. My regards to all the team members and volunteers,” said Gelli Rama Rao, one of the members of the BB. Recently, a few flex hoardings featuring Excise and B.C. Welfare Minister K. Ravindra were removed.
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The BB members have decided to keep vigil to ensure that the memorial remains free from advertisements or hoardings.
Bandar Bandhuvulu removed hoardings and taken up beautification drive on the premises