Vellore
The inscription below the clock states that it was set up to mark the coronation of King George and Queen Mary, in 1920. A plaque below also provides the additional information that 14 of the 277 locals from the then Vellore village who participated in the Great War between 1914 and 1918 lost their lives.
Vijayasekar, a resident, said “The Corporation officials do not appear to know or understand the importance of the clock tower, as in addition to stating that it was erected to commemorate the crowning of her British Majesties George and Mary, it also proves that once Vellore was a village. The latter is seen from the plaque below which informs readers about local participation in World War I.”
Dinakaran, another native, said, “It is not surprising that the local body has been searching for experts for 10 years, as this is its usual way of functioning. If they had the will, they could have solved the issue within a week, by seeking experts from either Chennai or Mumbai.”
The clock tower was first handed over to the Vellore Municipality and then to the upgraded Vellore Corporation. When the clock stopped functioning in 2007, the officials brought in local watch and clock makers to repair it. After inspecting it, the clock makers said it was too complicated for them and that only experts from Mumbai could rectify the defect and make it tick again.
The Corporation then formed a committee to search for experts and from then on there was no word on the progress by the committee. Many old timers, who recall that it used to chime every thirty minutes, will ever hear its sound again. Vellore Corporation Commissioner Kubendran was not available for comment.
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