A La Martiniere stairway that has been an indelible part of its history of over 180 years has been changed forever after a round of repair work.
The “original steps” on the southern side of La Martiniere for Boys that had names of former students engraved on them have disappeared courtesy of the marble slabs used to repair the stone steps.
In a letter sent to the institution, Alma (Association of La Martiniere Alumni) has expressed its “concern and disappointment over the recent decision to replace the original steps... with marble slabs”.
“These steps, which have stood since the inception of the school, hold immense historical and emotional significance for generations of students and alumni. Many of these steps are engraved with the names of students who have passed through the hallowed halls of the school, leaving behind a permanent mark of their connection to this esteemed institution,” Alma president Vishal Jhajharia has written to the secretary of the La Martiniere schools. The letter has been copied to the bishop of the Calcutta diocese of the Church of North India and the principals of the boys’ and girls’ schools.
Over many years, students had etched their names on those stone steps, Jhajharia told Metro.
“These engravings are not defacement but symbols of tradition and the spirit of La Martiniere, a testament to the pride and identity that its students have carried for decades. Replacing these steps with marble erases a part of the school’s living history and disconnects future students from the legacy that has shaped so many lives. It is crucial to preserve the integrity of these steps as they stand as a constant reminder of the traditions that make a school like La Martiniere unique,” the letter said.
It said they understand the need to “maintain and upgrade the school’s infrastructure but not at the cost of compromising on the historical inscriptions and the traditions they represent”.
“Our request is not just a matter of preserving stone, but of safeguarding a part of the school’s identity...
“The alumni community, which spans generations, stands united in protest against this move.... We strongly urge the school administration to reconsider this action immediately....”
It goes on to demand that “those marble slabs” be pulled out and the steps be restored to their former self.
Illustrious former students and beloved teachers had their names engraved there, said an Alma member.
The secretary of the La Martiniere schools, Supriyo Dhar, told Metro the marble slabs over the stone steps were part of the repair and development work that the school had undertaken.
“The stone steps were dilapidated and needed repairs because students were getting hurt and bruised. Over the years, the 2ft-wide steps had been reduced to 1.5ft or 1ft in various places and the marble slabs were used to repair the steps,” said Dhar.
“The building is 187 years old and needs thorough repair. In some places, the ceiling is leaking and we cannot leave it like that. We have to prioritise the safety of our students,” Dhar said.
Both the southern side steps, on the side of the field, and the northern side steps, in front of the school, have been repaired, he said.
“It is not that the names of the former students on the steps are people who are still connected with the school. They are not in touch and we do not know where they are or in which year they passed out. Just because the names were there does not mean we will not undertake any repair or renovation work. It is part of the development work of the entire school,” he said.
A former student, now an orthopaedic at Fortis Hospital, Ronen Roy, said it is like “wiping out our heritage”.
“All things shiny and marble do not feel good. As students, we grew up seeing those names and we would almost look forward to our time, when we would chisel our names on those steps,” said Roy, of the 1979 batch.
“I managed to put an RR on one of the steps. As the years went by, the space got further reduced and my son who passed out in 2010 managed to put in a Roy somewhere,” he said.
