26/11 martyrs’ green memorial lies in limbo

BMC lacks 'time and funds' to name 'trees of life' after six heroes of Mumbai attacks, tells donors to carry out the christening ceremony and collect reimbursement from it

26/11 martyrs' green memorial lies in limbo

BMC lacks 'time and funds' to name 'trees of life' after six heroes of Mumbai attacks, tells donors to carry out the christening ceremony and collect reimbursement from it

Six rare species of "tree of life" planted in the memory of as many 26/11 martyrs at Bhatia Baug near CST more than two years ago, are yet to be officially named after the Ashoka Chakra recipients as the BMC "lacks time and funds" for the christening ceremony.

Saplings of 'Trees of life' have been planted at Bhatia Baug, near CST in the memory of martyrs Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte,Vijay Salaskar, Tukaram Ombale, Sandeep Unnikrishnan andu00a0 Gajendra Singh

Tree Authority (TA) members, who planted the saplings, said lack of funds and time is the reason behind the delay. Nilesh Baxi, a member of Tree Authority, said "Every time we brought the issue to BMC officials' notice, we were told to do it on our own and collect the reimbursement from them.
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It is the BMC's job, why can't they do it?" Another Tree Authority member UN Singh, who donated three rare Guaiacum officinale or trees of life, said, "We have written many letters to the BMC and the garden department ever since the trees were planted there. It's now more than two years and the civic body is yet to name the trees after the martyrs."

The saplings were planted in the honour of martyrs ATS chief Hemant Karkare, additional police commissioner Ashok Kamte, senior inspector Vijay Salaskar, assistant sub-inspector Tukaram Ombale, NSG major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and NSG commando Havaldar Gajendra Singh.

Ironically, former municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak was the chief guest of the impromptu function in 2008.
"The former commissioner had supported the cause. But now no BMC officials are taking interest in carrying out the naming ceremony," he said.

Other Side
Suhas Karvande, DMC garden said, "I am not aware of the issue. I will speak to the ward officer concerned and see what can be done to sort out the problem." A S Damne, assistant municipal commissioner (A Ward) was unavailable for comment.

Tree of life
According to Singh, 'tree of life' is a slow-growing tree. It was brought to India by the British from West Indies.
The tree has medicinal value and it is a symbol of good health. The most important characteristic of this tree is that it's immune to insects, pest or diseases. In Sanskrit, the tree is known as vridha mitra (old man's friends). Singh said that the tree authority has lost hope that nameplates of the martyrs would ever be put on the trees.