RAMESWARAM: A memorial pillar to remember the victims of the Tsunami-like devastating cyclone that destroyed Dhanushkodi in December 1964, that was put up at Mukundarayachatram between Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi, is in virtual ruins now, drawing flak from the local population.
The memorial pillar was erected when former Supreme Court Justice Ms. Fathima Beevi was the Tamil Nadu Governor in the late 1990s'. For pilgrims and tourists going up to Dhanushkodi, Mukundarayachatram used to be a must-stop place where people also got to see the memorial pillar for the cyclone victims.
But due to lack of proper maintenance, the outer surface of the memorial pillar have been chipped away and the details of the tragedy recorded at the base of the stone pillar is not visible due to constant wind and other weather conditions.
Locals urged the Tamil Nadu government to get the Rameswaram municipality to maintain the structure properly and restore the memorial pillar to its original form at Mukundarayachatram itself. Alternately, if need be, the pillar could be shifted to Dhanushkodi as it has become a greater tourist attract now following the laying of a new road by the NHAI up to the land's end there, they urged.
