I was fascinated to note the efforts taken to preserve this dry tree in the lawn outside the Carman Block at the Christian Medical College, Vellore. In the setting of a lush green garden with meadow, plants and trees this tree trimmed, varnished and protected in a bed stands in contrast to everything else.
This tree has a life history of sixty or seventy years, according to the gardener who is familiar with this tree for a long time. It was a gulmohar tree, which shed its leaves and got dried up during one summer. The efforts to revive it with special care did not help. The tree stood in the middle of the garden and was an eye sore for a while till it was decided to preserve the tree to tell its own story. The stem was treated with chemicals to preserve it from pests and weather and now adds to the aesthetics of the garden.
It is not common to preserve trees after its life time. Someone seemed to remember that this tree was planted by the founder of the Christian Medical College, Vellore, Dr. Ida Scudder after she retired from her service. So the tree acquires a historic significance. There are about ten trees in the campus, which Dr. Scudder would have planted according to reliable sources and this is the only one which went dry. So the decision to preserve it to remember her and her fondness for garden, flowers and trees.
There is a story and history behind most of the special sights we see. It is good to connect with them because stories reveal values and character.
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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