Ex-naval officer spends Rs 1 cr on Alappuzha monument
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had never faced any financial constraint for his dream project of Taj Mahal in Agra — one of the Seven Wonders of the world. But here in south India, a former Naval officer has had to face just that in his bid to erect a replica of the iconic monument. He wants to dedicate the structure in honour of the country's war heroes, freedom fighters and the bravehearts who laid their lives down in the 26/11 mayhem in Mumbai.
A. K. Bhaskar Kumar, alias AKB Kumar, from Alappuzha district of Kerala, is now a happy man because his dream project is nearing completion. It will be opened to the public in the middle of 2010. But it has not been a cakewalk. At times, the project led to acute financial problems, straining his relations with even his own family. His 45-feet white Taj satisfies him but the financial commitment has drained all his money. To manage Rs 10 million, the cost of the monument, he sold all his properties including his ancestral house. Besides, he sacrificed his retirement benefits and even sold his wife’s one-acre coconut garden. Initially, Kumar’s family members and relatives were against his mission. And the locals also discouraged him. But the 58-year-old Kumar was in no mood to dither.
He told TSI : “I pay homage to all the war heroes and freedom fighters. I acknowledge their sacrifices to the nation. But ordinary people don’t realise the value of their sacrifice. The martyrs are not remembered. I have built this Taj in their memory. People will visit this place and remember them because photos of martyrs will be displayed on the monument.”
He calls the Taj of the South as Shanti Mahal, a palace of peace. This Taj is located at Thumboli on the NH 47 in Alappuzha district. The monument has four floors and is spread across 6,000 sq ft. It has four minarets, representing the three Armed Forces and para-military forces. On each pillar, will be displayed history of the Indian Armed Forces.
Besides, the monument will have rooms that will provide free accommodation to kins of martyrs and freedom fighters visiting the place. For the inaugural function, Kumar is trying to rope in top Army officials. Defence minister A. K. Antony, a Member of Parliament from Kerala, has assured him that he would inaugurate the Shanti Mahal.
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had never faced any financial constraint for his dream project of Taj Mahal in Agra — one of the Seven Wonders of the world. But here in south India, a former Naval officer has had to face just that in his bid to erect a replica of the iconic monument. He wants to dedicate the structure in honour of the country's war heroes, freedom fighters and the bravehearts who laid their lives down in the 26/11 mayhem in Mumbai.
A. K. Bhaskar Kumar, alias AKB Kumar, from Alappuzha district of Kerala, is now a happy man because his dream project is nearing completion. It will be opened to the public in the middle of 2010. But it has not been a cakewalk. At times, the project led to acute financial problems, straining his relations with even his own family. His 45-feet white Taj satisfies him but the financial commitment has drained all his money. To manage Rs 10 million, the cost of the monument, he sold all his properties including his ancestral house. Besides, he sacrificed his retirement benefits and even sold his wife’s one-acre coconut garden. Initially, Kumar’s family members and relatives were against his mission. And the locals also discouraged him. But the 58-year-old Kumar was in no mood to dither.
He told TSI : “I pay homage to all the war heroes and freedom fighters. I acknowledge their sacrifices to the nation. But ordinary people don’t realise the value of their sacrifice. The martyrs are not remembered. I have built this Taj in their memory. People will visit this place and remember them because photos of martyrs will be displayed on the monument.”
He calls the Taj of the South as Shanti Mahal, a palace of peace. This Taj is located at Thumboli on the NH 47 in Alappuzha district. The monument has four floors and is spread across 6,000 sq ft. It has four minarets, representing the three Armed Forces and para-military forces. On each pillar, will be displayed history of the Indian Armed Forces.
Besides, the monument will have rooms that will provide free accommodation to kins of martyrs and freedom fighters visiting the place. For the inaugural function, Kumar is trying to rope in top Army officials. Defence minister A. K. Antony, a Member of Parliament from Kerala, has assured him that he would inaugurate the Shanti Mahal.
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