150-yr-old neem tree uprooted

Tanguturu Prakasam Pantulu addressed meeting under this treeA Ongole: A 150-year-old neem tree (vepa chettu) at the Central Café tri-junction in the town was uprooted due to heavy rains which were accompanied by high velocity gales on Friday night. The gentle shade of the tree, which witnessed many a momentous occasion in the town, used to be the venue of several political gatherings addressed by Andhra Kesari Tanguturu Prakasam Pantulu and several national leaders during the freedom movement. Old timers say several families used to pray at the tree before embarking on any venture. They said they feel as if they have lost their dear and near one. Local people said the tree fell because it lost source of water to nourish it due to concretisation of its surroundings. Had the civic authorities taken precautionary measures, the tree could have been saved, they felt.