Gowari Shaheed Din today: Saga of neglect continues By Kartik Lokhande : Morris College T-Point is a historic location in city. Over the years it has been a witness to some good occasions and some dark moments. On November 23 1994 it was witness to one of the darkest moments in citys history. That evening the street was soaked in blood tears and bore the weight of 114 corpses of young and old. Since then every year Gowaris from various parts of the region gather on November 23 at what is now Gowari Shaheed Smarak near Zero Mile. Eyes well up with tears throats choked with emotions and stares fill the atmosphere with questions about future. However this year the office-bearers and volunteers of Adivasi Gowari Shaheed Smarak Samiti were angry on the eve of Gowari Shaheed Din. For according to them not only their community but also the memorial had become a victim of neglect even after passage of 26 years since the dark day of 1994. Sheshrao Neware President of the Samiti told The Hitavada that due to COVID-19 the Collector did not call annual meet as part of preparations for observance of Gowari Shaheed Din. “As a result no Govt agency has taken any action. There has been no cleaning of memorial area no decoration no repairs of lights... The saga of neglect has continued” he rued. According to Neware Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Fire and Emergency Services Department washes the memorial with water. This time it did not do so. When the Samiti office-bearers enquired about it he said that the officials sent some staff to sweep the area and to repair some lights. Neware alleged that none from Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) which deploys three guards at the memorial on regular basis bother to even turn up at the memorial. “Every night the memorial is in dark. When we approached Public Works Department they assured to send garlands on Sunday evening. Due to lack of maintenance the lawn has dried up and there is only unregulated growth of grass. Trees planted in the honour of Gowari martyrs are victims of neglect as there is no one to water the plants. Liquor bottles abandoned clothes and even condoms are found here as miscreants are using this area for their nefarious activities” Neware said. He wondered “Is this the way to treat the departed?”

Stay updated with all the Latest Nagpur headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.