HOMAGE TO TREE.
CAIiCUTTA STOCKBROKERS. CALCUTTA. Scenes reminiecent of the "good old days" of the East India Company were enacted when a young "peepul" tree was ceremoniously planted on the pavejnent in front of the stock exchange at Lyons Range here.
The tree replaces a 100-year-old "peepul" or "sacred" fig, which died and had to be cut down. During the years it had come to be venerated by people frequenting the Calcutta Stock Exchange, irrespective of caste, creed, colour, or nationality. It was a common sight to eee an Indian broker bowing to the tree with folded arms as he entered the premises of the stock exchange or a European taking his hat off to it.
In spite of all the care bestowed on it, the old tree began to show signs of decay. A horticulturist expert was summoned, and he declared that the tree could not be saved, so it was decided to have it uprooted and replaced by a young and vigorous sapling. The old tree was removed and consigned with due ceremony to the Ganges.
On the next auspicious day the new tree was planted with strict Hindu ritual at the expense of the firm which now occupies the premises. Afterwards sweetmeats were distributed to all comers.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19380716.2.128.3
Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 166, 16 July 1938, Page 13
Word Count
210HOMAGE TO TREE. Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 166, 16 July 1938, Page 13
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Auckland Star. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries.
Log in