Presidency University VC defends decision to pull down 144-year old gate


Devdiscourse News Desk | Kolkata | Updated: 30-10-2018 20:09 IST | Created: 30-10-2018 19:48 IST
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Presidency University Vice-chancellor Anuradha Lohia Tuesday said the varsity's the decision to pull down a 144-year old gate for a new one was in keeping with the safety and security aspects. 

Those opposing it were driven by sentimental reasons, she said at a discussion on city's architectural heritage here. The gate of the erstwhile Presidency College, which was upgraded to a university eight years ago, was demolished in December 2016 and had been opposed by a section of its students and conservationists. 

"The protest over demolishing the old gate was not practical, yet we appreciated that some people had sentimental reasons for wanting an old gate," she told reporters on the sidelines of the programme. 

Presidency College was set up in 1816 and known as the Hindu College by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the educationist David Hare and Sir Edward Hyde East, the then chief justice of the Supreme Court in Fort William, among others. 

It has illustrious alumni, including Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen. About allegations that the stately heritage building, which is reminiscent of Victorian architecture, had been tampered with and a 100-year-old banyan tree arching over the gate was hacked after the demolition of the old gate, Lohia said. 

"They were misguided and misinformed that we were destroying heritage. We did not, we actually restoring heritage. We had Heritage Commission architects with us and there is no question of doing anything wrong." 

"We needed to be practical. I had to make sure that the safety and security of the (university) campus were maintained. I had to see the new gate was wide enough for fire engines to move in," the VC said. 

She said from the century-old Baker building to the other parts in the campus the entire 201-year old edifice retained its original features since its inception and the state government had provided all the funds required. 

"To get to the original paint of the walls, our architect had to take previous six coatings and reach the seventh layer. The entire restoration process was done to the best of our ability," Lohia said. 

Thespian Soumitra Chatterjee spoke about the city's rich cultural heritage at the programme and said old heritage buildings should not be demolished for new constructions. 

Talking about the demolition of heritage buildings in the city, the legendary actor said: "There have been instances of heritage buildings being demolished despite having the tag, which should not have taken place." 

West Bengal minister Bratya Basu said the architectural diversity of the city was in synergy with its comsmpolitan nature in which different religions and communities lived in harmony. 

A coffee table book containing 2700 pictures of landmarks and iconic buildings including Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Esplanade Mansion, Howrah station was released on the occasion.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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