Bottle bank 'sullying' King's statue
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 11 2023:
Taking to the social media, many people opined that although it was a noble idea by Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) to install plastic bottle banks to curb plastic pollution, the location of one such plastic bottle bank near the iconic statue of Maharaja Bhagyachandra taming a wild elephant, dubbed Shamu Makhong, is only 'sullying' and diluting historical significance of the structure.
According to the netizens, it is a good step on the part of IMC to install so many plastic bottle banks and dustbins for maintaining a clean and decorous Imphal city.
However, there is the need to install the banks and dustbins at proper locations.
Renowned sculpture Maisnam Tombi began sculpting the statue of Maharaja Bhagyachandra taming a wild elephant in 1956 and took three full years to complete the same.
With the passage of time and poor maintenance, the statue suffered extensive damages, not to mention of many people using it as a place to paste posters.
Recognising the historical significance, the Art and Culture Department under the previous government began repairing the same and the new statue was unveiled by incumbent CM N Biren and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba on November 27, 2022.The pedestal of the iconic statue has various art works on all four sides.
On the left, there is an art work depicting Maharaja Bhagyachandra's taming of the elephant; on the right, his re-enthronement; and on the back, a short biography of sculpture artist Maisnam Tombi.
The newly renovated statue is far more grandeur and serves as an attraction for tourists visiting the state.
However, the installation of a plastic bottle bank near the statue is severely 'tainting' its image and looks rather sloppy.
While most people maintain cleanliness and hygiene in their homes, this attitude takes a complete turn when one is outside.
Despite the sign indicating that the "banks" are only for plastic bottles, many plastic bags including food packaging and other garbage have been thrown in.
Thus, netizens suggested relocating the plastic bottle bank to another suitable location to preserve the beauty of the historic and iconic statue.