Tales of neglect writ large on Indira park
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 29: The lone children park of Imphal city� Indira Park, has now deteriorated to a pathetic condition due to the utter negligence of the authority concerned and the care-taker (s).

Although conceived and built as a recreation park for children of Imphal by the Planning Development Authority (PDA), Indira Park is in no condition of providing any sort of recreation to the children of the town.

Rather it poses risk to the safety of the children who come here to have a little fun and frolic, escaping a few precious moments from the intense school hours.

Despite the pitiable condition of the park, it still does contribute some revenue to the PDA.

Every child and other visitors who come here are charged Rs 2 each as entry fee.

Indira Park in the glory of all its negligence ! Cry for the kids

Even as the entry fees collected every day are put in the account of PDA, the park has been left to itself since a long time back.

The existing worn out condition of the park is a standing testimony of the negligence of the authority concerned.

All the playthings installed at the park are worn out.

These entertainment gadgets may break down any moment posing risk hazards to the kids.

"Who will be responsible if any child suffers casualty due to break down of the playthings when he/she is playing with it?", asked a visibly concerned parent.

Moreover, the water fountain built in the park to lighten the hearts of kids is also out of order for the last 3/4 years.

Today, it remains only as a dull, lifeless concrete structure.

Likewise, the toilet has also gone out of order since a long time back.

The canteen inside the park opened to cater to the children has also been closed.

In addition, children of the town are denied the opportunity to enjoy the cool breeze of the summer season at night time during their vacation and holidays as all the electric lamps fitted in the park do not emit a single ray of light.

As such, the park get closed before dusk negating the very purpose of a recreation park.

On the other side, there are signs of the care-taker(s) wilfully neglecting their duties and responsibilities.

Children as well adults who visit the park clip the leaves of plants and pluck flowers without any thought and hindrance.

Empty packets and wrappers of sweets and other food items are strewn everywhere.

The park which is also visited by parents and other adults besides children is also visited by non local ice-cream hawkers.

The ice-cream hawkers are charged Rs 10 each as entry fee. "With the Imphal town getting congested more and more, our children need a decent park to refresh their tender minds, away from the tense atmosphere of the society and home otherwise our children may suffer from serious mental depression when they grow up'' observed another guardian.

He noted that three/four more children parks should be set up in and around Imphal town.

The park which still provides a play ground for unwitting children belonging to the otherwise congested Imphal town, can be a source of pure recreation for innocent children provided the authority concerned takes little care and shows some concern for the children.