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| WWI memorial arch, Valadi village near Lalgudi,TN. thehindu.com/ |
There is yet another war memorial in the form of an arch near Thiruchirapalli city that is almost crumpling due to negligence and lethargic attitude of the authorities concerned and the local people who almost daily go through the arch. This almost 100 year old arch is in the village of Valadi near Lalgudi town. That the commemorative arch erected in Valadi during the British rule under the Raj, in recognition Indian soldiers vital role in the victory of the Allied forces in World War I is in shambles is deplorable. The damaged war memorial arch built with red bricks across a small road has been there for decades uncared for and unnoticed. Most of the villagers crossing the arch every day are unaware about its historical importance.
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| WWI Memorial arch valadi village,TN.imesofindia.indiatimes.com |
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| Valadi village near Lalgudi, Tiruchi dist..mapsofindia.com/ |
Hidden from the public view due to overgrowth of bushes and trees there is an inscription that says ''Let us forget. '' From the plaque on the right side we understand that the Memorial Arch was erected by Dewan Bahadur G. Krishnamachariar and opened by Sir T. Desikachariar, Trichinopoly District Board president, on August 10, 1922.
The memorial came up in this place because the victorious Allied forces in WWI had Indian troops on the British side; some of whom hailed from Tiruchi district. They played a vital role in the crucial world war I (1914-1918) and the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on 28 June 1914 set off a chain of events that led to war in early August 1914. The Government Records show that 302 soldiers from Tiruchi district took part in the world war I. The dilapidated arch is a forbidding reminder of India’s significant contribution to the Allied victory in World War I that ended in November 18 with the surrender of Germany). India supplied more than 100000 soldiers and the other contribution from India included large food supplies over170,000 animals and 3,700,000 tones, arms and ammunition, special war boots, military uniforms, money, etc. The latter was by way of tax hike imposed on the Indian public by the colonists; Indian revenues towards the cost of the war amounted to £146.2 million.
In April 2021 the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) informed that the Commemorative war memorial arch at Keezha Valadi would be taken up by them soon. (https://currentaffairs.studyiq.com/pn/1633305600/asi-to-renovate-world-war-1st-memorial-arch-near-lalgudi)
Referred to as ‘Pachampettai Valaivu’ in Tamil, the arch is at the entrance to Pachampettai on the eastern part of Keezha Valadi. It serves as a gateway for villagers from Periyavar Seeli, Mayil Arangam, Pachampettai and Thirumanamedu villages to the Lalgudi-Tiruchi Road. Rajya Sabha MP Trichi N. Siva and others have been demanding the conservation of the historic structure. Mr. Shiva also assured that he would discuss the matter with the Director general of ASI, New Delhi and, if possible, he would request him to visit the village to evaluate the damaged war memorial.
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| WWI war memorial arch, Valadi poketnews.com |
The arch and the side pillars are now weak, while the stucco work needs conservation. Already in many places the bricks are exposed and people are concerned about the stability of the arch during the onslaught of harsh NE monsoon in October- November this year. Once the work is started, according to the ASI, they might take 3 to 4 months to get the conservation work done. To begin with encroachments near the memorial arch will be removed with help from police and the local people are supportive of the conservation project.
The memorial arch is the symbol of valor and courage of the British India army men who hailed from this region. A sum of Rs. 7 lakhs is sanctioned to carry out the repair work on the war memorial.
