• Advertise with us
  • Contact
  • ePaper
Friday, May 30, 2025
  • Login
Adyar Times
  • Home
  • News
    • City
    • Civic
    • Environment
    • Vox Pop
  • Community
    • Campus
    • Sports
    • Health
    • Social
  • Explore
    • Arts
    • Events
    • Food Courts
    • Lifestyle
  • Feature
    • Stories
    • People
    • Chat
    • Scribbles
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Adyar Times
No Result
View All Result
Home Explore Arts

Hope Schmidt Memorial does not fade into a memory

editor by editor
January 5, 2024
in Arts, Civic, Culture, News, Stories, Tribute
0
Remembering Karl Schmidt
Share on WhatsappShare on Facebook

By R.Swathi

On the late evening of Dec.30, a group of friends, members of the civic body Spark and residents got together at the Karl Schmidt Memorial, at Elliots Beach to pay tributes to the person who died saving a lady from drowning. 

Related posts

IndiGo ATR Departures to Shift to Chennai Airport’s Terminal 4 from June 1

Chennai airport issues stern warning against laser pointers and flying objects

May 28, 2025
No need to panic over COVID-19: TN health department assures public

COVID-19 not a cause for panic in Tamil Nadu: Health Department reiterates

May 28, 2025

The landmark monument has stood the test of time for 93 years, and residents hope that it holds for 7 more years, post which, it might be taken over by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) for its better upkeep. 

As the group stood inside the memorial to pay respects, scores waited outside to absorb a piece of it to make it a part of their memory. “It is ironic that people have zero interest in preserving this monument, which is a symbol of Elliot’s beach. Photography enthusiasts take pictures of it in the mornings, and the public takes selfies in the evenings. Alas, the only benefit the monument derives from the fame is: defacing and looting,” sighs Kamakshi Subramaniyan, Co-founder of Spark.

1. The broken EB panel; 2. Stolen and vandalised flash lights; 3. stolen water pump and skeleton of the timer unit; 4. unchecked cracks on the wall of the Memorial; 5. Illegible plaque on the Memorial; 6. Graffiti on the walls of the Memorial.

As Dr.T.D.Babu, Co-founder of Spark gives a tour of the memorial to the group, with pain he points out the broken EB panel, stolen water pump, light timer and focus lights, vanished security booth, illegible plaques and unkempt garden. Defacings and cracks on the wall add to his disappointment. 

The group lays a wreath and holds electric lamps in respect. A small discussion ensues on what the public can do to save it, but outside the memorial, groups stand wondering if they will be allowed to take selfies.

“Despite its restoration in 2018, with subsequent neglect and vandalism, how can we expect a memorial to stand unhinged?” wondered Dr Babu. With hopes that the memorial doesn’t become a memory in itself, the group disbursed, pledging to do all they can to ensure its restoration.

A brief history of the memorial as recollected by Dr.Babu:

In 2013, the then Mayor alloted 34 lakhs for the restoration of the Karl Schmidt memorial on the request of Spark. Similarly before restoration, Spark requested IIT Madras and Reach Foundation to make an assessment and provide guidelines for restoration. Both of them assessed on structure and soil profile free of cost. Sthapathi (ancient temple architects) was brought to restore the structure using lime and mortar. Outer fence with granite pedestal was proposed and non-corrosive metal was supposed to be used for the grill. Structure was restored as per the norms, but the protective fence was not constructed as per the suggestion and soon it got corroded. A motor was installed for watering the garden that was developed by the Parks department at a cost of 2 lakhs. A security bunk was also placed inside the north eastern end, as security personnel were employed for 3 shifts, to safeguard the memorial.

In 2018 under Swadesh Darshan scheme, along with the beautifying the beach, the memorial saw an uplift too:
It got a coat of fiber using fibrewrap technology; 
Two plaques with a write up on the memorial were installed in two languages – English and Tamil; 
Four solar powered lamp posts along with expensive focus lamps that focused from the four sides, on the memorial, were installed at a cost of 9 crore. 

Though the present RDC-South P.Amith, IAS, has promised to take steps to protect and conserve the memorial, we are still waiting for some action. This symbol of sacrifice and caution and face of Elliot’s beach shouldn’t be left ignored. We cannot be disrespectful to this pride of the neighbourhood. Nevertheless, we continue to hope that some action will be taken at the earliest, towards restoration of the structure.

Tags: adyartimeselliot's beachElliot'sbeachSpark
Previous Post

Bus services to Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus

Next Post

ROKA’s event to clear up the City collects 10 tonnes of waste

Next Post
ROKA’s event to clear up the City collects 10 tonnes of waste

ROKA’s event to clear up the City collects 10 tonnes of waste

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECOMMENDED NEWS

RCCT get a new President

ADF conducts awareness session on eye care

2 years ago
Kannadigara Koota

Kannadigara Koota

1 year ago
Pushpa Abhishek festival

Pushpa Abhishek festival

1 year ago
Investiture ceremony at KV IIT

Investiture ceremony at KV IIT

2 years ago

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Arts
  • Business
  • Campus
  • City
  • Civic
  • Community
  • Culture
  • Environment
  • Events
  • Explore
  • Feature
  • Food Courts
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • National
  • News
  • Opinion
  • People
  • Politics
  • Scribbles
  • Social
  • Sports
  • Stories
  • Travel
  • Tribute
  • Uncategorized
  • Vox Pop

BROWSE BY TOPICS

ADF Adyar adyartimes annualday awards Besant Nagar bookrelease book release chennai chennaievents climatechange CSIR eco-friendly elliot's beach environment GCC gogreen Greater Chennai Corporation greater chennai police IITM IITMadras india Kidzee learnsamskritam nature NIEPMD OMR plastic plasticfree plasticpollution recycle reuse Rotary Rotary club samskrita bharati savetheplanet sustainability sustainable sustainableliving SwachhBharat SWM TANGEDCO thiruvanmiyur urbaser sumeet zerowaste

POPULAR NEWS

  • Debris found dumped at Arupadai Murugan temple beach, awaits removal

    Assault at Chennai’s beach

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • MTC introduce New Bus connecting Kilambakkam (KCBT) to Sholinganallur/ Siruseri IT Park

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Bus services to Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Revised EMU Train Schedule Ensures Continuous Service in Chennai Beach – Tambaram – Chengalpattu Section

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TANGEDCO releases a list of areas set to undergo power cut in Chennai on July 10

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Adyar Times was established in Chennai in the year 1993, founded by Mr.S.P.Ambrose, IAS (Retd.). The concept of a newspaper for the neighbourhood was a novel idea then. The English weekly (Sunday) now boasts a circulation of 42000 copies with an average of 16 pages per issue.

Follow us on social media:

Category

  • Arts
  • Business
  • Campus
  • City
  • Civic
  • Community
  • Culture
  • Environment
  • Events
  • Explore
  • Feature
  • Food Courts
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • National
  • News
  • Opinion
  • People
  • Politics
  • Scribbles
  • Social
  • Sports
  • Stories
  • Travel
  • Tribute
  • Uncategorized
  • Vox Pop

Recent News

IndiGo ATR Departures to Shift to Chennai Airport’s Terminal 4 from June 1

Chennai airport issues stern warning against laser pointers and flying objects

May 28, 2025
No need to panic over COVID-19: TN health department assures public

COVID-19 not a cause for panic in Tamil Nadu: Health Department reiterates

May 28, 2025
  • Online Payment
  • ePaper
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2023 adyartimes.in

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • City
    • Civic
    • Environment
    • Vox Pop
  • Community
    • Campus
    • Sports
    • Health
    • Social
  • Explore
    • Arts
    • Events
    • Food Courts
    • Lifestyle
  • Feature
    • Chat
    • Stories
    • People
    • Scribbles
  • Videos
  • ePaper
  • About Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact

© 2023 adyartimes.in