Sir, 

This refers to the letter titled “Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion caves in: Lack of pride to preserve our Royal Heritage” by H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana, a Retired Chief Engineer, who has very rightly raised the issue of accountability in public life (SOM dated Nov.18, 2021).

In his concern to the caving in of the roof of a one time majestic building, one cannot miss the pain and chagrin, suffered by himself and Dr. B. Sheik Ali (a renowned Historian and a former Vice-Chancellor).

I have personally gained valuable knowledge during my  conversations with these two highly respected  scholars. Both of them even now, in their ripe old age (may be they are above 90 years), display abundant love and concern towards social issues, in their interesting exchanges with fellow morning walkers.

Well, the serious question asked in his letter, points to several responsible offices which must have shown lack of accountability.  This is the story we see,  in many areas of public service, whether it is illegal usurping of Raja Kaluve or building illegal high-rise buildings. The loss of property and valuable lives is directly due to  the abject dereliction of assigned responsibilities.

Well, what else can an honest tax-payer do in addition to waking up a sleeping system. It is a serious hope and expectation that the people whom we, tax-payers, put in very important public places, will meet the dire needs of society, of which they are an integral part. I am an optimist and so keep looking for a silver line.

– Prof. K.V. Satyan, V.V. Mohalla, 20.11.2021

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