History in the small towns of India is often glossed over. Here is an example (Coimbatore, “Continue with new names of two roads”, March 16). As one who has a long association with Erode, I find it dismaying that the popular “Brough road” (in Erode) is to be renamed after Meenakshi Sundaranar. Anthony Watson Brough was a nominated member of the then Erode Municipality in 1904 and was instrumental in spearheading the overall development of Erode, which included his interventions in the field of education, health and local governance. Though a missionary, his vision for Erode was commendable. He can be likened to Lord Ripon and John Pennycuick who evinced genuine interest in the welfare of Indians. The move to rename the road will amount to ignoring a vital piece of history. Instead of renaming Brough road, a road like Mettur or Chennimalai could be named after Meenakshi Sundaranar who, like E.V.R. Periyar, was a great friend and admirer of Watson Brough’s service to the people of Erode.
C. Arockiasamy,
Erode, Tamil Nadu
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