Yet another example of the triumph of symbolism over substance in India that is Bhaarat!
DECCAN HERALD [Image] Monday, July 13, 1998
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Bangalore's road show rings out the Raj
By S K Padmaja
DH News Service
BANGALORE, July 12
Ringing out the imperial Raj and ringing in the heroes and heroic moments of
'Kannada Nadu' on the City's road nameplates is one of Bangalore Mayor J
Huchappa's priorities. And for that he has the solid support of
Bangaloreans, discovered this correspondent after speaking to a cross
section of people. More than 70 per cent of residents welcome the decision
with enthusiasm and delight.
No less a person than Mr G V Iyer, noted film director, supports the idea of
re-naming roads after famous personalities as a matter of pride. The idea of
bringing history and patriotism nearer to the people will revive our
forgotten past, he says. Asked if people would accept good old Lady Curzon
Road being re-named as, perhaps, 'Kittur Rani Chennamma Road', Mr Iyer is
quick to retort that anything novel raises contradictions. In the long run,
there is bound to be a change for the better and people would accept and
realise the richness of our own culture.It is better to acknowledge the
people we share our roots with than to remember those unfamiliar to us, he
asserts.
Mr Subramanya, a professional, also holds the same opinion. He stated that
no road in the country should have any colonial names but should instead
carry the Indian memory of those who have brought fame to the country. In
Bangalore, preference should be given to renowned Kannadiga personalites, he
feels.
Meanwhile, legal practitioner Archana Rao pointed out that the renaming
exercise would only put the people into a lot of difficulty. Since the
people are used to the English names it would be wise to let the names as
they are, she says. Though she accepts that the services rendered by
forgotten heroes should be remembered, the chaos in store should also be
given a thought. Specially, when it comes to any land disputes: if the area
is read by a new name, it could only add to the confusion because, any such
mistake would put the dispute into a jeopardy, where legalities are
concerned, she observed.
''The confusion and chaos will subside as the days go by. It is a great idea
put forth by the mayor,'' asserts director of the department of technical
education K Balaveera Reddy. He also suggests that it would be an
appropriate service if the roads are renamed after those famous
personalities who have passed away. Then, yesterday's personalites would be
thought of today while the present personalities would be remembered by
tommorrow's generation.
Bus conductor Mohammedullah and driver J Philip also expressed their support
to the re-naming cause. Since time immemorial we have lost the identity of
ourselves. ''We have been co-existing with those names against whom many
people sacrificed their lives. It is time that we give a thought to the sons
of the soil and show them befitting respect,'' they said in unison.
Mayor J Huchappa, on his part, maintained that ''it is vital that we re-name
the roads with the names of those who have contributed selflessly to their
native land and it is only befitting that we remember them this way''. On
the contrary there are some foreigners who have also rendered a yeoman's
service to the state. Therefore, we will definitely not alter such names, he
said.
He added that the Kannada Sahitya Parishat has been entrusted with the
responsibility of eliciting public opinion with the help of various
associations in each area and if there is justified opposition to any
particular case, such roads would be left alone. A meeting with the Kannada
Sahitya Parsihat in this regard is scheduled on July 26. Then the proposal
would be submitted to the Government for approval, Mr Huchappa said.
But auto driver Madhusoodhan is perturbed. Though a good idea, it would give
rise to a lot of confusion, he avers. Passengers would state one address
while the auto driver would be familiar with another address. This would
only bring in a lot of misunderstanding and they might be travelling round
the same place and end up quarrelling over the meter fare, he apprehends.
He has one more valid worry - the BMP might just wash its hands off after
putting up the name board, but what about letting the people know which
roads have been re-named? They will have to give a lot of publicity and not
just sit idle. This will surely require a lot of manpower which could be
used for other constructive work, he argued.
Architect Gayathri Murthy is very optimistic about the idea and welcomed the
proposal of etching the memory of patriots on our thoroughfares as the
present generation is losing touch with history. The Government trying hard
to promote the local language itself portrays the poor state of affairs, she
notes. Scientist K V Prabhakara echoes this opinion and points out that many
states have implemented this idea and Karnataka should do likewise.
Collegians Fahed and Archana opposed the idea though. ''What's in a name?''\065
they asked. A road is a road and no matter for whom it is named, it makes no
difference. But, out of the blue, if roads are renamed, it would only add to
the problems of the city. More important issues like improving civic
amenities or putting an end to beggary should be considered, they stated.
Kannada Sahitya Parishat former president Sa Shi Marulaiah stated that there
has been a very good response to the mayor's proposal. A meeting was
convened with the Who's Who of Bangalore, journalists, pro-Kannada
organisations, representatives of different organisations and the outcome
was that the names of famous Kannadigas who have served society in many
ways, should only be used.
Re-naming apart, people are equally concerned that many name plaques of
roads are faded and in gross neglect. Their upkeep is vital, they assert.
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