I write this petition as a concerned resident of Tiruvananthapuram, the quiet, green capital of Kerala. In the past decade or so that I have lived here, I have watched with horror as old buildings are being pulled down to make way for private flats and shopping complexes. My concern at the moment is to save both the Attakulangara Central High School and the Chalai bazaar by declaring that entire area a heritage zone and including it in a wider Fort area heritage zone. Two acres of the school compound filled with ancient and unique trees and herbs have already been handed over to TRIDA ( Trivandrum Development Authority) to build a bus bay and shopping complex even though better, alternate venues do exist for this. Chalai bazaar could also become like MG Road soon, filled with ugly, glass covered shops meant for the rich. Once these two areas are declared as heritage zones, adequate restoration can be done to keep that area free of encroachments and preserve it for future generations. The city can also put in for UNESCO status for this entire zone.

Currently only the Fort area adjacent to the temple and the surrounding fort wall is considered to be a heritage zone. Attakulangara Native school dates back to 1889 . The building along with the appurtenant lands has been declared to be of heritage (built, natural and cultural) status by INTACH, Kerala after an inspection of the site by Prof. Eugene Pandala, INTACH co - Convenor, Kerala. While the Oak Grove school in Mussoorie dating back to 1888 has been nominated for UNESCO heritage status by the Indian Government, this equally historic school in Tiruvananthapuram with notable alumni(ae), is now being forced into closure with its land being parcelled out for constructing bus stations and shopping complexes. Once the school is declared as part of the heritage zone and its facilities upgraded, it can be preserved for the usage of generations of students. 

Photographs of Chalai bazaar taken in the 1880s show a residential area of single storeyed houses. It emerged into a bustling market place much later. However, there are many people who still live there. An aerial view of the Fort area shows the temple to be the centre and the Chalai main road extending from it like the spinal cord that extends from the brain. How can the brain survive, if the spinal cord is severed? Once the Chalai bazaar is declared to be part of a heritage zone and made into a pedestrian only area, much of the congestion in the Fort area will reduce. It is important to appreciate the value of the traditional Kerala architecture which can still be seen within this bazaar especially the  86 year old Karupattikada mosque which still retains its original Kerala architecture.  There are many small Hindu shrines that dot the entire stretch. Before Navaratri the idols of Saraswati, Kumaraswamy and Muttutthee Nanga are brought via the Chalai bazaar where throngs of shopkeepers and devotees make offerings, before being placed in the Navaratri mandapam. If this is not evidence of the living connection between Chalai and the Padmanabha Swamy temple, what else could be? Including this area as part of the wider Fort Area heritage zone will help restore the old buildings and prevent haphazard 'development' there. 

 I am requesting the Minister of Culture to direct the Chief Town Planner and Director of Archaeology to hold a meeting so that firstly both the school and Chalai bazaar are declared part of a heritage zone - the wider Fort area heritage zone. Following this a meeting of the  Arts and Heritage Commission should be convened at the earliest so that no construction or destruction can happen within this zone.  The discussions should be conducted in an open and transparent manner so that we the public are party to the arguments being made for and against the motion.  As several members of this commission are in favour of the idea of granting heritage status to Attakulangara School and Chalai bazaar, this could be made a reality with your active interest and support very soon.

Please help me save this historic school and bazaar. Do sign my petition and send it to all your friends via email, FB and twitter.