Messages varied from the heartfelt to the straightforward on the large white board put up in front of the collapsed Mairie building on Goubert Avenue.
“The beauty and future of Pondicherry is its heritage,” read one, while another appealed, “We all live in a heritage town. Save it!”
Over the course of this last week, almost all posts and photos on social media from Puducherry were centred around the Mairie (Town Hall) building which had collapsed on a rain-hit afternoon on November 29.
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News had also spread about the public memorial event organised by residents group, People for Pondicherry’s Heritage, on Sunday evening. The idea was to organise a peaceful gathering to draw attention to an important need of preserving the remaining heritage buildings, said Kakoli Banerjee from the group.
In a statement, the group has said the building’s collapse has been a ‘personal loss of identity’ and if other heritage buildings are also lost, Puducherry ‘will lose its character and economic future’ and its prospects for tourism.
Around 5.30 p.m., a large number of residents had joined in to show solidarity with the group by writing on the message board, as well as lighting candles and placing flowers as a mark of respect to the iconic Mairie. The Svaram group from Auroville played drums at the site, while volunteers also organised a signature campaign.
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Tourists who thronged the Beach Road also joined in. The memorial event saw the presence of former MLA S.P. Sivakumar and CPI Puducherry unit secretary R. Viswanathan.
The People for Pondicherry’s Heritage have prepared a five-point petition which they will be taking to the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor this week.
These include urgently providing support scaffolding to old lighthouse, V.O.C School, Pensionnat De Jeunes Filles (Government Girls French High School), Calve College, old Court building and Police Headquarters.
The group has called for the appointment of a committee of knowledgeable professionals and experts who will have legal authority to safeguard and protect heritage buildings. Other demands include a commitment from the government that funds will be allocated for restoration of all heritage buildings on priority and enactment of law to preserve them. The petition also includes an appeal to rebuild the Mairie to match the original standard and design.
Quite a few of the residents who had gathered had personal stories to share about their memories of the building.
“I have sentimental attachment to Mairie. My marriage was solemnised here in 1987. When I heard about the collapse, I was shocked and almost in tears. It could have been avoided if timely action was taken when the ASI had given its report two years ago,” said Anna Maria, a teacher.
Satish Yuvaraj and his sister, grandchildren of former Deputy Mayor Lakshmansamy Udayar said, “As children, we have spent much time here, playing and running up and down the grand staircase. Many dances have been organised in the main hall which had a beautiful wooden floor. This building has seen the registration of numerous births, deaths and marriages, and today we are mourning its loss. The remaining heritage buildings must be saved. After all, where there is a will, there is a way.”