VRISHANK MAHATME
Dedicated to Goa’s first chief minister, the historical Dayanand Bandodkar Memorial at Miramar, which is one of the State’s major attractions, has over the years, turned into a blemish with garbage being dumped at the historic site.
Dayanand Bandodkar popularly known as Bhau was the first chief minister of liberated Goa, Daman and Diu. He passed away on August 12, 1973 after ruling Goa, Daman and Diu for a decade as chief minister and was cremated on August 13, 1973 on the Miramar beach where the memorial stands.
When Herald visited the memorial recently, glass bottles of wine, whiskey and beer besides the plastic bottles and plastic carry bags were found littered all over the beach and even around the memorial site, giving a bad impression to those visiting the famous Miramar beach.
When Herald spoke to residents of Caranzalem, Taleigao and Dona Paula, they pointed out the various wrongs happening there, besides demanding that the government do something about it immediately.
It’s been quite a long time that the memorial is lying in a sorry state with no proper maintenance and the closure of the memorial for public, has forced locals as well as tourists to avoid this historical site, pointed out a local who lives close by.
“This memorial is such a historical place and is of utmost importance but the authorities have always neglected this site. Now tourists have turned the interior premises of the memorial into a garbage dumping ground by throwing plastic packets and glass bottles. Is this the kind of disrespect the State’s first CM of liberated Goa deserves,” questioned Dipesh Marathe, a resident of Tonca
Locals have also regularly witnessed how the tourists who visit the beach at night indulge themselves in drinking and then throw the beer bottles into the memorial premises, not only showing total disrespect to the historic site, but also scattering glass all over the place.
“I have seen both locals as well as tourists throwing leftover bottles over the barricade of the memorial,” said Reena Tavares, a Taleigao resident. However, other locals, who spoke to Herald, said that the memorial should be opened for public and tourists with an entry fee, which will showcase the history of first chief minister of liberated Goa.
“The Bandodkar memorial is a historical monument, which needs to be maintained and shown to the tourists with a ticketed entry, as is done for other memorials. Cleanliness should be maintained. I bring my history students to this historic site annually during my Miramar Heritage walk. The memorial is a beautiful underground chamber with a black marble tabletop structure and the entire memorial is stupa style and made of white marble,” historian, Prajal Sakhardande said,
When contacted, for comment on the sorry state of affairs at the memorial, CCP Mayor Surendra Furtado informed that CCP has nothing to do with the memorial maintenance and the responsibility to maintain the same lies with the PWD as they are in possession the keys.
