an old image of Victoria Hostel, Chennai pinrest com |
In Chennai alone there are hundreds of old colonial and other monuments, legacies of the British Raj and early colonial rule under the EIC. Historians and heritage lovers deplore that these structures and others remain neglected by the city authorities for years together with no basic periodic repairs. It shows lack of awareness of old heritage buildings and their importance among the public as well as officials who have scant interest in the historical value of such heritage sites that connect us with the by-gone era. There is no realization such old structures ought to be repaired periodically and preserved for the posterity. Further, presentation of our wonderful monuments in style with fine ambiance will attract lots of foreign tourists who evince keen interest in such buildings steeped in history. The Bharat Insurance building on Anna Salai, Chennai, a colonial building, is slowly crumbling and, I understand, steps are not yet taken to carry out basic repairs to preserve the building. In 2011, a part of the roof of General Post office building on Rajaji Salai, Chennai caved in during the monsoon season. For all old poorly maintained colonial structures in Chennai or elsewhere, the monsoon season every year is a difficult one to pass through. The heavy rains some times cause severe damages and make them weak as years go by. 'It should be borne in our mind that in these impressive monuments of past era, there lurks in every nook and corner our history'.
Victoria Hostel, Chennaitimescontent.com |
Victoria Hostel, Chennai/timesofindia.indiatimes.com |
Established on 30th January, 1900 in the government land by students and admirers in memory of Rao Bahadur P. Ranganatha Mudaliar, M.A., Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, Presidency College, Madras, Sir Arthur Havelock, Governor of Madras, presided over the opening ceremony of the Victoria students’ Hostel in the presence of many distinguished ladies and gentlemen. It was built by T. Namberumal Chetty, civil contractor (?). This Hostel has been under the Government of Tamil Nadu since 14.06.1987. In accordance with G.O. Ms. No. 608. Education Dept. dated 16.04.1987, the Principal of the Presidency College, Chennai-05 was instructed by the Commissioner of Collegiate Education, Chennai - 6, to run this Hostel.
Victoria Hostel, Chennai .business-standard.com/ |
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/crumbling-hostel-awaits-monsoon-with-dread/article3988795.ece