To build Bal Thackeray memorial, more than 50-year-old playschool to be shut

Many residents of Shivaji Park are not pleased with the announcement and termed it a huge loss

By: News Desk |
May 3, 2017 4:49 pm

In order to make way for former Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s memorial, Mumbai is soon going to lose over a five-decade-old kindergarten. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to take back the plot on which the Daffodils Play School, is located. Many generations of Shivaji park residents have studied in this kindergarten.

Ila Kaji whose grandchild studies in the play school said, “This school is an asset to Shivaji Park. It stands apart from other play schools it has a little garden with swings, a seesaw and a play area where kids are taught to commune with nature. If Bal Thackeray were alive he wouldn’t have deprived kindergarten children to give way for a memorial of his.”

Like her, many other residents of Shivaji Park are not pleased with the announcement of closing down the kindergarten and said it to be a huge loss. Keraleeya Mahila Samaj, the lessee, has also refused to choose other locations which were offered by BMC.

According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, last year, Keraleeya Mahila Samaj knocked the doors of the high court challenging the Vacant Land Tenancy (VLT) notice of March 26, 2016. In the interim order, the HC said that “no coercive action” shall be taken against the school.

Ramakant Biradar, assistant municipal commissioner, G (North) ward said “We have offered two alternative places to run the school Taikalwadi near Raja Bade Chowk and the other near Kohinoor institute, which is close to Dadar station. But Keraleeya Mahila Samaj is not considering those options. The court is adjourned till June”.