‘Vanita Vana’- With Love from Lady Mayor to Lady Citizens
‘Vanita Vana’ (Women’s Park)- With Love from Lady Mayor to Lady Citizens
Mangaluru: Even though District in charge minister had inaugurated the ‘Vanita Vana’ – an exclusive Women’s Park located at Hat Hill near Air India Office on August 22, 2011, the work on this park was stalled for years for unwanted reasons. This park was supposed to be the model park in the state, and since the park is located in 1 and a half acre of land, there will be a lot of visitors in future. Ramanath Rai had then said that since there is a necessity to protect and preserve the environment, the park is designed giving a natural taste of environment. If required more space in future, the land acquisition will be done, he had added. The fund of Rs 2 lakh each from MP fund, MLA fund and District in charge fund was given for the development of the park.
The park ‘Vanita Vana’ was devoted specially for the women and children. The park had been designed by Venkatesh Pai of Pai Lands and the landscape of Rs 25 lakhs was to be done. Even though it took so many years for the park to be completed fully, the present Mayor Kavitha Sanil had put; lots of efforts in giving a new face lift to this park, which will be exclusively meant for Women and Children. And within the next few weeks, this ‘Vanita Vana” with an extreme makeover it will be inaugurated.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean during his morning walk at this Park, Former Assistant Commissioner-Mangaluru Revenue Sub-Division (who wanted to remain anonymous) said, ” Ten years ago this land was just a hillock with thick forest belonging to the government. Later it was decided to hand it over to MCC, to convert it into a park exclusively meant for Women and Children, since there were no such parks in town. MCC has done a really good jog in giving a face lift, and this park will surely benefit the local women and lady visitors and children. The land was handed over to the city in the year 2006, which is around 70 cents. I am glad that this hillock place has been converted into a beautiful park”
Mayor Kavitha had an intention, why not have an exclusive park for women, where they can have their own space to confer, have their own place for meetings amidst the lush green surroundings. And there is also a brand new canopy/pergola, which can accommodate nearly 100 women at a time- and these days few women have already started practicing yoga there. Apart from that, the Park has a well laid out walkways, shade providing flowering and fruit bearing trees; and there plans to construct an artificial water body or a mini swimming pool, where space has already been allotted for that.
Women don’t have to worry about being lonely at the park, because there is a watch-man 24X7 at the park, and the park is well lit at night. Also there are quite a neighbour houses close by, including offices and quarters of government officials, and even the Air India Express office is adjacent to the park. So there is no need for women to worry about any security issues. It is learnt that there are plans that the park will be upgraded with library for women and children, light instrumental music, and other facilities, so that women can spend her time alone or with her children and friends in the park.
As per MCC Engineers the park is well designed and its green cover has been planned well. The layout of the park was designed akin to modern green spaces seen in resorts. Since the park looks so beautiful, there has bee request from the surrounding neighbours to keep it open for general public- but as promised by the Mayor and earlier plans, this park will be exclusively meant for women and children- no matter what! Sorry, Men?