Once a crowning point, Lashkar falls silent

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city of Nizam, Lashkar, which is now known as Secunderabad, was an insulated commune, a remote part divided by the beautiful Hussainsagar. Lush green avenues, regimented barracks, huge bungalows, churches, race and golf courses and clubs which gave a distinct identity to it, but now the entire skyline has changed and mismatch between the growing population and civic amenities has made life a daily struggle for the common man, says the former Vice-Chairman National Disaster Management Authority M Sashidhar Reddy.

Walking down the memory lane, Sashidhar Reddy says his association with Secunderabad is about six decades. This part used to reflect the Anglo-Indian and British culture. Even during those days, there were golf courses and clubs, the maximum enjoyment those days used to be parties where families used to participate and relax for some time. ,

Another form of entertainment used to be English movies in theatres like Tivoli, Sangeet and Plaza. There was also a theatre called Rajeswar near Monda Market where Telugu movies used to be screened. “In fact, my mom was a frequent visitor to this theatre,” he said.

The areas like Lalaguda and Tarnaka which had distinct Anglo-Indian culture has now turned into a place full of problems. Lot of slums have come up, people in these areas are struggling for proper facilities like drainage and drinking water.

The growth is not in a planned manner. Take for example areas like Malkajgiri adjoining Marredpally which was once the Jubilee Hills of Secunderabad where the rich and famous used to live. It has now turned into a big slum like colony. What used to be a pleasant walk or drive amidst huge bungalows which were the legacy of British has now no roads even to walk. No underground drainage, the mosquito menace and even crime rate is high.

Mahboob College was once the pride of Secunderabad. Swami Vivekananda visited the college and gave a lecture there. Unfortunately, all the landmarks are slowly disappearing.

Gymkhana Grounds those days was a very important landmark of Secunderabad and several top cricketers took coaching, but now it stands the threat of disappearing as the State government wants to construct new Secretariat Complex. Monda market, which is a major landmark near Secunderabad station, is now in a very bad state of affairs.

City Light Hotel collapsed, Alpha Hotel and Garden Restaurant have lost their importance. Secunderabad Taj and Anand Bhavan which were famous for butter ‘dosas’ are now one of the many hotels and have lost their charm. Everything has changed from good to worse, he rues.

By V Ramu Sarma