Century Old Structure That Once Housed Sooter Hostel Razed
Mangalore: What was once a heritage structure, a reminder of a century-old vision, is now rubble. The heritage building that housed the Sooter Hostel at the present Gokharnanatheshwara College in Mannagudde, in the heart of the city, has been razed to the ground.
Now
What should have been celebrated is now in the debris of history. Though the hostel has not been functional since the 70s, the magnificent structure was a mute spectator to the bygone era when hundreds of Billava Youth were nurtured through the Sooter Hostel that was established in 1926 to provide shelter and overall nourishment to students from as far as Kundapur to Kasargod or Beltangady who came to Mangalore to pursue education.
The kin of Sowkar Dhoomappa Contractor, the founding President of Sri Venkateshwara Shivabhakti Yoga Sangha, have lamented the demolition of the Heritage structure, stating that it would have been a befitting tribute if the present management of the Sangha restored the old building and used it for public utility in the name of its founder and the founding fathers.
Then
In a press statement, Grandchildren of Dhoomappa Contractor, Mr Narendra Kumar and Vani Bhavishi have urged the management to reconstruct any public utility centre in honour of the ten Trustees who envisioned the establishment of Sooter Hostel, hundred years ago.
The land for the Sooter Hostel was granted by then Collector C S Souter and was registered in the name of Kamala Bhai, wife of Dhoomappa Contractor. The official document remains in her name, though the family has not made any claims on the property.
The Management of Sri Gokharnanatheshwara College which functions under the banner of the Sangha, has justified the demolition stating that the building was in a dilapidated condition and that it could crumble anytime. “We decided to demolish the building and the adjoining one to build something that would be utilized for public good. The contributions of the founding fathers of the sangha will be duly acknowledged”, remarked Dr B G Suvarna, Vice President of Sri Venkatesha Shivabhakti Yoga Sangha.
