The beautiful building was constructed as a Military Hospital at Mhow (Madhya Pradesh) in 1866, under the British Army. In 1953, it was appropriated as the All Arms Wing of the Army Signal Training School. It later housed the Headquarters of the Army Training Command (HQ ARTRAC) from 1991 to 1994. When ARTRAC moved to Shimla, the Army School at Mhow (now Army Public School) was then housed in this magnificent heritage building, since 1994, and still functions from there, till date.
Unknown to the public at large, the APS building was targeted for demolition several years ago, along with another even-more-spectacular building, the Military Hospital, Mhow. Before we realised what was happening, the demolition of the Military Hospital commenced a couple of years ago and now stands razed to the ground, having completed the construction of the new building.
The fate of the APS soon became public knowledge and some sympathetic voices for saving this heritage structure were raised, but with no serious effort to do anything about it. However, one of the recent Commandants of the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), who is the Chief Patron of the APS, put in a concerted effort to save the building. Apparently, the matter was taken up at an appropriate military level and the demolition was stalled.
A hoarding was even put up outside the school gate to emphasise upon the rich historical and heritage significance of the building.
Perhaps, some time after that Commandant retired and the hoarding was taken off.
Suspecting the worst, I approached the school for information, and my fears were confirmed; the building will be demolished after the new APS building is completed, tentatively, in 2020.
'Drawing-room' discussions amongst the officer community and veterans
at Mhow were nothing more than accepting the inevitable fait accompli, in the face of the impossibility of stopping the Army.
I took it upon myself to attempt petitioning the authorities to try to save our rich heritage property at Mhow.
Somewhere, I am convinced that there was and is absolutely NO justification for bringing down a building that is structurally sound and in good habitable condition.
Indeed, if there is a need to give the APS better accommodation, that can be done in addition to the existing structure.
Why destroy something that will be good for a few more centuries?
Even if the authorities argue that the contract has already been drawn, however, thisis not a good enough reason to bring down such a majestic 'imaarat'?
Surely, the Defence Minister can intervene, by allowing the contractor to construct the new APS building, so that the contractor does not suffer any financial losses, and leave this landmark alone? The building could be put to several uses, rather than construct more and more ugly concrete jungles, as they do!
What’s even strange is that I’ve got to know from school authorities the construction of the new school building is in the area of the play grounds, and after the new building is completed. The play grounds will be constructed on the land available after the demolition of this magnificent building.
The beauty about Mhow is its heritage building. A visit to Mhow will show you the difference between an old and a new city, only then will you understand what I am talking about. We’ve already lost the Military Hospital, let’s make some efforts and try to save the school. This school has so many fond memories, let’s not demolish them and wipe out the traces of our rich heritage and our history. Join me, in my quest, to save The Army Public School.
Col PKS Bedi, Retd, My Report
(PS: To show your support, sign Col Bedi’s petition here)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)