Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam   

Two landmarks set to get closer

Photo: D. Radhakrishnan

Symbol of heritage: The plaque of the State Bank of India being displayed in front of the Nilgiri Library in Udhagamandalam on Tuesday. —

Udhagamandalam: Neighbours for long on Commissioner’s Road here, two landmarks with immense heritage value, the 150-year-old Nilgiri Library and the local branch of the State Bank of India which came into being in 1866 as the Bank of Madras are all set to get closer.

While the library which is housed in an elegant building with certain features of Gothic style of architecture is a treasure house of knowledge, the bank located next door in one of the most impressive and imposing premises has over the decades held its own as the premier bank of the town.

Though the library has ever since its inception been one of the most prestigious features of this hill station, its financial position has off and on been a source of concern owing to various factors including dwindling membership.

Hence, when the management of the library decided to commemorate the post centenary golden jubilee of the institution in a fitting manner by giving a face lift to the building, an appeal was put out for help.

Displaying qualities of a good neighbour and living up to its track record in community services banking, the State Bank of India offered to donate Rs. 5 lakh towards renovation of the building.

The cheque will be handed over by the Chief General Manager, SBI, Chennai, J. Chandrasekaran.

Stating that a function will be organised on March 7 at the library to acknowledge with gratitude the generous gesture of the bank, the Secretary of the Managing Committee, K. Chandramohan, told The Hindu here on Tuesday that the main reading room will be named as ‘State Bank of India Reading Room’ and a commemorative plaque would be embedded in a suitable part of the room.

He added that a number of activities have been planned for the celebrations which would take place this Summer. The Chief Manager, State Bank of India, S. Mahesh Kumar, said that the Rs. 5 lakh grant under community services sector was the largest so far in the Nilgiris. Under the sector help was being extended to many institutions.

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