Udhagamandalam: Milestones are milestones, whichever way one may look at them. The natural thing to do while crossing them is commemorate the occasion in a befitting manner. Alas in a place like the Nilgiris which is steeped in history, many such occasions have passed by unnoticed, mainly due to ignorance or oversight.

To cite an example, the Government Arts College, started in June 1955 in the historical ‘Stone House’ built by John Sullivan, the Founder of Ooty, in the early 1800s, missed commemorating its 50th year. Though some in the college were aware of the occasion it could not be commemorated due to various reasons. Lamentably even its 60th year passed by silently.

Another institution with a strong link to the history of the Nilgiris is Breeks Memorial School here. Named after James Wilkinson Breeks who took charge as the first Commissioner of the district in 1868 soon after it was segregated from Coimbatore, it was established as a memorial to Breeks who died in 1872.

The hope now, particularly among history lovers, is that at least henceforth such dates should not be forgotten.

Pointing out that any place with an impressive history will be of interest to both domestic and foreign visitors, Geetha Srinivasan, Convener, Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage (INTACH), told Covai Post that it should be showcased properly. The best way of doing it, she opined, was to display the history in front of each institution. Pointing out that it was a system adopted in many places within the country and abroad, she said that it would help people remember historically significant occasions. “People should take pride in their history,” she added.

Social activist and green campaigner K. Vijay said that if people come to know about the importance of various places it would encourage them to preserve them and keep their ambience clean. It would also have a cascading effect on other parts of the town.