Sandakphu: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
has decided to build a memorial to Padmaja Naidu, the first lady
governor of Bengal, at Tonglu, situated about 10,072ft high.
Tamang, who was on a visit to Sandakphu - the highest point in
Bengal - on Sunday was taken aback when residents of Tonglu took him
atop a hillock and showed him a circular structure that was erected to
mark the place where Naidu's ashes were strewn.
Rajesh Thapa, the caretaker of a government inspection
bungalow, which had been torched during the last phase of the agitation,
told Tamang: "My grandfather and father, too, were caretakers here. My
grandfather used to tell us that ashes of Padmaja Naidu were strewn here
many years ago. I remember a forest officer visiting the spot many
years ago but after that, none has come here."
Local people, who were present, echoed Thapa.
Atop the small 4ft high circular structure of roughly
four-to-five diameter, there is no signage. The structure was probably
built to fence a sapling, but it could not be verified.
Tamang said: "The GTA will immediately start work to install a
memorial at this very spot. This is an important piece of information
and will also be a landmark to those visiting Sandakphu in the Singalila
range."
Tonglu is 21km short of Sandakphu.
Tamang said the GTA would also explore the possibility of landscaping the entire area.
"Since the place is adjacent to the road, it can be a tourist
point. However, the important thing is to conserve this place," said
Tamang.
The GTA was informed that the land belonged to the Darjeeling
Improvement Fund, a department unique to the hills, under the state
government.
Padmaja Naidu was the governor of Bengal from November 3,
1956, to June 1, 1967. Daughter of Indian freedom fighter Sarojini
Naidu, she joined the Indian National Congress and was also jailed for
taking part in the Quit India movement. She was also associated with the
Indian Red Cross and also served as its chairperson.
The Darjeeling zoo is named after her as Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
Naidu breathed her last on May 2, 1975.
The Telegraph