In the affairs of the Union Territory, Kizhoor, a tiny village in the Mangalam constituency, has yet to receive the credit it deserves for hosting a peaceful referendum that finally resulted in Puducherry’s emancipation from French rule and its merger with India.
Following India’s independence in 1947, the French planned to release Puducherry from their rule, but it wasn’t until the historic referendum conducted at Kizhoor on October 18, 1954 that they agreed to cede control of four territories—Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe—to India. The lands of French India were de facto transferred to India on November 1 as a result of the vote.
After the French government’s Parliament ratified the Treaty of Cession, the majority vote of the House of Representatives and Municipal Councils present at the referendum resulted in the ultimate transfer of power of the four territories to the Indian government on August 16, 1962.
After Independence, the Puducherry government decided to commemorate August 16 every year in light of its significance.
Where the legislators in Kizhoor decided to join with the Indian State, a little shack now stands as a reminder. There is a closed area inside the shed that contains some significant images of key figures, including the nation’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who participated in the activities leading up to the liberation of Puducherry. Along with the shed, a pole that will be used to raise the flag on August 16 and a plaque with the names of those who took part in the referendum are there.
Only twice a year, between November 1 and August 16, does the location come alive. Otherwise, the location is abandoned, and the museum, which is only accessible twice a year, is frequently off limits to visitors. In spite of promises from many governments to transform Kizhoor into a monument in UT, only an asbestos storage building has been constructed there. However, nothing is done to publicize the area so that the university’s younger students are aware of its importance, according to S. Ravichandran, a Kizhoor native.
The government’s attention to Kizhoor, according to economist turned politician M. Ramadass, was not commensurate with its ancient historical value. “On this historic day, not even the flag is raised by the Chief Minister. The memorial is not properly maintained, and the surrounding area appears deserted because the Chief Minister does not visit the location. People scarcely recognize it as a location of enormous significance,’ he claimed.
Sincerely recognizing Kizhoor’s equal importance to Puducherry, the government ought to work to make the town a prominent location. Given Kizhoor’s significance in UT history, a memorial akin to Kamaraj Manimandapam ought to be built.
Ramalingam agreed with Mr. Ramadass’ assertion that the territorial government and the Union Government should work together to have the area recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He is the Director (in-charge) UGC-Human Resource Development Center, Pondicherry University Panch.
By updating the building, the Kizhoor monument must be made visible to people everywhere. He suggested offering a sound and light show on the weekends to draw visitors. It might be the perfect location for village tourism. According to Mr. Ramalingam, the tourism authority can develop the area appropriately and arrange for buses to transport tourists from the town.
Mr. Ramadass continued to advocate for the improvement of the area, stating that Sivaranthagam panchayat should be transformed into a model village by absorbing the advantages of all federal and state government initiatives. The Kundrakudi experiment, a village development plan for self-sufficiency, might be improved and put into practice in the community. People will become interested in Kizhoor as a result of this. With the intention of developing the populace, freedom is attained. If so, Kizhoor village, the center of Puducherry’s independence, ought to show signs of development, he argued.
