Pondicherry – Some Bad Losses and Lessons to Learn

An interesting article in The Hindu from Annie Philip on the state of Pondicherry (Puducherry), once the major town of the French Indian territory. For some time Pondicherry was seen as a good example of preservation and heritage conservation in India and across Asia, but the truth appears somewhat less enthusiastic sadly. According to the article many buildings have been lost through neglect and despite a UNESCO award. Worst of all perhaps the iconic French-era Mairie, or Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) Building on a rain-hit afternoon in November this year. It’s a sad story though may be encouraging citizen activism with the formation of ‘People for Pondicherry’s Heritage’. The article is well worth a read. And so, remembering the old Mairie of Pondicherry….

When originally constructed

Until recently…

and now gutted…

and broken…