The other story of Munro Statue

The  statue of  Sir Thomas  Munro  which  lies in the  middle of the Island was erected in 1839. Munro was one of the most lovable governors of  East  India  Company.  After his death  in July 1827 a subscription was opened for erecting a suitable monument to  him. All English men including native inhabitants of Madras contributed. Many of the low paid government servants of the company were by force made to contribute so as not to incur their masters displeasure. "The other side of the story ".  A letter written to a magazine at that  time :

      " A meeting took place on the  21st for taking into consideration steps for handing down to posterity the memory of Sir Thomas  Munro. As is usual on such occasions there were one or two fine speeches extolling the character of the deceased after which the proposition of a subscription for erecting a monument was announced. It was immediately entered into and has been going on ever since. It amounts at present to upwards of 50000 rupees and a considerable deal more is yet  expected from the interior. It is  truly ridiculous to see the subscription list as published in "Government Gazette"here. I know not how public servants at the heads of offices can allow it. Poor native writers,  Peons and Taties all are called upon to subscribe ,as, if they do not they incur masters displeasure, or, in other words they loose their situation. The  consequence is that many a poor wretch who receives 5 rupees a month give  2 1/2 rupee from it towards  erecting  of the Governors monument  for which he has his pride flattened by seeing his name in print along with many other great fellows;  but it is at the expense of his family having only one meal of rice in place of their usual two for six weeks or two months after".