Plea for park at historic tamarind tree

Hyderabad: History enthusiasts, students and nature lovers on Wednesday gathered under the Tamarind Tree on the Osmania General Hospital premises to commemorate the role of Musi River Floods and remember the victims of the devastating historic event.

It was on the September 28, 1908 when the people of Hyderabad witnessed one of the saddest events in the form of floods they never expected. Though water levels in the river started swelling a day before, it actually turned into a raging cyclonic flood and the severity of the flood was recognised only on that fateful day.

Activists paid homage to the victims of the floods. Thousands of people washed away in the floods along with the colonies on the banks of river leaving Hyderabad crippled for at least one month and sad memories forever.

It was this Tamarind tree which saved dozens of people during the floods, said Prof M Ved Prakash who organised this memorial meeting under the tree. He said that since then, the Tamarind tree has been remembered along with the victims who lost their lives.

He said that it was the saddest event in the history of Hyderabad and it still remembered with pain and grief. Deputy Mayor Baba Fasiuddin who attended the event as chief guest said that each and every part of the city has some or the other historic prominence and Tamarind tree was a landmark place.

He said that the park around the tree must be developed and beautified. ``It was a moment of grief and happiness that though many people lost their lives in the floods, this tree has saved many,’’ he added. Students and others expressed their views and shared their study during the event. The event was addressed by persons who have been studying the Musi Floods and history of Hyderabad.