Shillong, Sept 11: Activist Malabika Bisharad has pointed out that the memorial plaque on Swami Vivekananda ar Laban was dismantled to pave way for a statue .
In a statement, Bisharad said, “Today is 133rd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago Address. 125 years ago in April 1901 Swami Vivekananda visited Shillong along with his few family members and few monks. He stayed at Batti Bazar Laban Shillong. The owner of the house was Kailash Chandra Das(now House No – 115).
From this house Swami Vivekananda went to Quinton Memorial Halll to deliver a lecture. The lecture was published in U Khasi Mynta monthly paper from Ri Khasi Press. That lecture was Swami Vivekananda’s last public lecture. The house was in existence a few years ago where Swami Vivekananda lived. The property is under litigation. The house has been destroyed by unknown persons a few years ago. A tin-house was constructed. The memorial plaque was installed by RKM during Swami Vivekananda’s birth centenary in 1963 – 64 .
Bisharad, who visited at Batti Bazar Laban Shillong, House No – 115 in the evening. found the deplorable condition of the place which is a heritage site.The memorial Plaque has been removed by RKM Shillong to install a statue of Swami Vivekananda. The plate in which the history of Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Shillong was written has been removed and it was kept on the road side.
“As a Swami Vivekananda admirer I have taken initiatives to preserve the historic house and the historic plaque. I have sent several letters to RKM Shillong and RKM HQ Belur Math. I have sent several letters to the State Government of Meghalaya to preserve the historic plaque and the place where Swami Vivekananda stayed. I have requested all to lend their helping hand to preserve the historic house as heritage house. Many years have passed. Nobody has taken initiative to preserve the historic house and the plaque. 125 years have passed. Now, how RKM Shillong took the initiative to install a statue of Swami Vivekananda in place where Swami Vivekananda’s memorial heritage plaque?
Moreover, the place is still under litigation. How RKM Shillong took the initiative to install a statue of Swami Vivekananda in a disputed land ?
She wanted to know if ths house is in existence 125 years ago, why can’t the intervention if the Meghalaya High Court be sought.
“As, I have taken initiatives to preserve the historic house and place as heritage site, I have requested RKM Shillong, RKM HQ Belur Math and the State Government of Meghalaya to take necessary action to save the historic place in the memory of Swami Vivekananda as heritage site, she said.
