Preserve the Heritage of Mysore Tobacco Company

Pics: Courtesy Ron The Bangalorewalla

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15 March 2021

The Chief Secretary

Government of Karnataka

Vidhana Soudha

Bangalore 560001

Email: cs@karnataka.gov.in

Dear Sir:

Subject: Maintenance and Preservation of the Heritage Space at Mysore Tobacco Co, 17 Richmond Road

We are keen to bring this above matter to your kind attention. After this state government company folded up in 1983, the offices at Richmond Road and Whitefield along with the space they occupy have fallen into disrepair. This is true of many buildings elsewhere in Bangalore, and we do hope that will also be duly actioned and its history preserved.

We understand that the plan is to get a heritage tag for the Richmond Road space as per the Board Meeting and possible use as a government office, based on this 2014 press article . In fact, in the Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited Board Meeting of 5 Nov 2018, the Chairman and MD specifically passed the matter (Point 2 on Page 33 & 34) to ensure protect the heritage structure. (see end of letter).

However, since there is neither use nor proper upkeep, we are deeply concerned that this beautiful one-acre Gothic heritage building, and grounds may fall into further disrepair and crumble. We would request you to kindly ensure that the building and grounds are retained as heritage, some form of restoration taken up by conservationists (work could involve excellent professionals through a two-tier national competition which can be supported/conducted by Heritage Beku and other specialists) and also adaptive reuse for a government space – like an arts museum, heritage and culture center, office for the crafts council, tourism etc be undertaken. This will not only allow it to be preserved and maintained but also loved, used and part of our beloved city heritage.

We look forward to hearing from you and discussing how we can support you in this initiative.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Heritage Beku

CC: Secretary Agriculture

CC: All concerned

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Extract from Board Meeting 5 Nov 2018

‘Maintaining and reviving the heritage structure of the registered office of the Company.

The Hon’ble Minister and Chairman of the company after inspecting the registered

office building of the company, owned by The Mysore Tobacco Company Limited

to be merged with the Company, has directed Managing Director of the company

to explore the possibility of getting the building declared as heritage building and

to protect the same as per the existing norms and guidelines prescribed for the

purpose.

The Board accordingly passed the following resolutions instructing and authorizing

the Managing Director of the Company to engage the services of agencies who are

involved in identifying and reviving heritage structures for the purpose of reviving

the Registered Office of the Company as a Heritage Structure and obtain detail

report on such revival of the Structure and take appropriate action in this regard.

“RESOLVED THAT, approval of the Board be and is hereby granted to

engage the services of agencies who are involved in identifying and reviving

heritage structures for the purpose of reviving the Registered Office of the

Company as a Heritage Structure and obtain a detail report on the proposed

revival of the Structure.”

“FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Managing Director of the Company be and

is hereby authorized to negotiate with such agencies for fixing the

Page 34

34

remuneration for their services referred above, accordingly issue work order,

obtain reports from them, make payment against their services and do all

such acts, deeds and things to give effect to the foregoing resolutions” ‘

Beau Lieu and the Palace Trail

5 March 2021

Ms. Sheuli Burman

Chief Postmaster General, Dept of Posts & Telegraphs

Karnataka Circle, Beau Lieu, Palace Road

Bangalore 560001

Dear Sheuli:

Subject : Reconnecting – and a tie up with Department of Posts at Bangalore/Karnataka

It was such a pleasure to reconnect with you after such a long time and to also know that you have taken over as Postmaster General for Karnataka! What a wonderful thing that you are back in Bangalore and with such an impactful & senior responsibility. What also was so delightful to know was that not only are you personally supportive of heritage and the specific restoration and enhancement off your beautiful head office Beau Lieu, but also delighted to be part of ongoing heritage initiatives of interest to the city. Heritage Beku, a leading citizen initiative, a voice of the city, has made impact on preservation and policy – and our collaborations have also been the key stone of that.

The Postal Department , Karnataka is blessed with several unique landmark or heritage buildings , and it would be wonderful to partner with you on this and get more people to appreciate them. There can always be some simple yet interesting partnerships and initiatives going forward. To start with, I had mentioned The Palace Trail which is a Model Ward Initiative supported kind courtesy BBMP Commissioner, our nodal officer for Ward 93 . This coincidentally starts from Palace Road’s first heritage building in the trail – our very own Post & Telegraphs Circle Office HQ Beau Lieu and ends at the Bangalore Palace , allowing people experience and interact with landmarks and heritage along this unique route. This works closely with other related departments who also are either part of the walkability/cycling infrastructure like DULT, Smart City, Major roads, related interest areas like Tourism, Horticulture , BWSSB, Bescom , Janaagraha et al. In fact we already have MOU with DULT and Dept of Horticulture to promote heritage. We would love to do the same with you.

You had some specific interest points on the originals plans and drawings of Beau Lieu, given that you would like to restore the building to its original. The fact that our public view of Beaulieu on Palace Road is actually the back of the building'sr was surprise. I hope you will open up the little road access at Amedkar Veedhi so that a clearer view of the actual magnificent building facade & frontage is visible - we are happy to help. I do know that the State Heritage Dept with one of our members Intach had also spend some time restoring a few small parts, and can widen the reach out to a large group of conservationists to ensure that the detailing and restoration does happen as it should. It is really a shot in the arm to note your own interest in this space. Another stunning building Poorna Prasad was temporarily the P&T Foreign Mail Service office in the 90’s and has now gone back to its original owners. The imposing GPO while not heritage exactly, is a beautiful tribute as well.

Since the Palace Trails actually starts with Beau Lieu, we do hope that you will actively support being part of the local community with this incredible building and its history and we can work out some interesting initiatives and ideas to collaborate, so that both locals and visitors gain insight into both the Postal Department as well as story of the P&T office heritage headquarters. Your being on our jury on our proposed annual Heritage Awards would be nice.

Ideas we would love to explore include connecting Posts and Heritage via a special postcard of Beaulieu or a special edition stamps, encourage people to use AR based postcards to mail their older relatives on Elders Day or Heritage Day, creating more quaint post boxes (West End has the oldest, I think) have a once a month tour of the building, even quizzes, so people know space and history better.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Founder Heritage Beku

Pic: Courtesy Indian Express

Bal Bhavan Needs Preservation

Monday, March 1, 2021

Smt. Chikamma Basavaraj

Chairperson, Bal Bhavan Society,

1st floor, M.S. Building,Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Veedhi, Bangalore-01

Email: directorwcd01@gmail.com Tel: 080-22355984

Dear Madam:

Subject: Jawahar Bal Bhavan Bangalore better utilization; focus on Heritage Building & Natural Heritage

Bal Bhavan has been a part of most of Bangalore’s childhood. Whether it is the beauty of the park, trees & greenery, the iconic toy train, the slides and playground as well as the auditorium for events, the sprawling 12.5 acre Bal Bhavan inaugurated 1967 has undoubtedly been an integral part of Bangalorean childhood. Sadly it does not seem so anymore.

We understand what a difficult time it is, given the pandemic and the fact that this might have escaped your immediate attention. The Putani Express Toy Train restoration end 2019 was wonderful. However it is a concern to see the current state of the Bal Bhavan Societywith gates locked and the entire large acreage of Bal Bhavan decrepit, uncared for and unused. We appreciate and resonate that Covid, pandemic pressure and lock down has also made the Bal Bhavan more decayed and underutilised then it should. What is strange is that attempts have been made by Smart City to add more children friendly areas with specific playgrounds, equipment etcetera in an already shrinking expanse of Cubbon Park. This is ironic when such a large and central part of CubbonPark i.e. Bal Bhavan, specifically allotted to children for their exclusive use, is right there. In terms of the broader theme of natural heritage and the children's area there must be serious discussion and collaboration including public consultation on bringing back the 1967 Bal Bhavan to its old glory. To see this massive space being locked up and just left as it is to literally rot is most unfortunate, as you would agree. Mysuru Bal Bhavan is in the same situation. No one benefits, least of all the children it was meant to serve.

In addition, the 20 million-year-old fossilized tree gifted by Geological Survey of India needs to be showcased. The beautiful Otto Koenigsberger Victory Hall, now an auditorium is hardly used and has not been properly restored even though it is a heritage building with much background an importance for the general public of Bangalore as well as for the children . The 2004 Tata (TCCI) Initiative with GoI needs reviving to be able to use this space appropriately and with proper respect to its historical and architectural background as well as its pristine park setting is very important. A more detailed set of inputs on both functionality, aesthetics, natural landscaping and adaptability for children can be shared later - but what is most important is to have the intent & commitment to utilise this beautiful expanse of precious Cubbon Park with the children as it is meant to and in the way that it most adds value to childhood and heritage, in our fast growing concrete city. More children must actively participate and become part of Bal Bhavan membership. The children need their Bal Bhavan back, or if unused, it must be a part of the overall Cubbon Park. We look forward to a meeting and your thoughts on this so that we could take it forward and support you in getting Bal Bhavan to be the central children’s’ city oasis, that Bangalore will be proud of once again. We appreciate your attention and support.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

CC: Smt. Shashikala Jolle, Hon Minister , Women & Child Welfare

CC: Mr Ravi Kumar, Chief Secretary, GoK

CC: Chairperson, Women and Child Welfare Department

CC: Secretary Mr RK Kataria & Director Ms Fouzia Taranum, Horticulture,

CC: Deputy Director Mr. Balakrishnan , Cubbon Park