Ashram land to be redeveloped

Learning centre: The bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda stands in front of the ashram in Brickfields built in honour of him. – Photo by S.S. KANESAN

THE century-old Vivekananda Ashram at Jalan Tun Sambanthan in Brickfields has been earmarked for major redevelopment that will see a 23-storey residential tower with 264 units and an eight-storey car park built at the site.

However, the Vivekananda Ashram Kuala Lumpur board of trustees maintained that the 110-year-old structure together with the bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda, one of India’s religious and social philosophers, will be retained to preserve its symbolic value.

The statue and the ashram were built by the Jaffna (Sri Lankan) Tamil immigrants in 1904 in honour of Swami Vivekananda, who visited Malaya in 1893.

Vivekananda was the chief disciple of the 19th century Indian mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission, which today has established a following throughout the world.

Vivekananda Ashram chairman Tan Sri Dr K. Ampikaipakan said the board of trustees had approved the decision to sell the 0.4ha plot of land to developer F3 Capital.

The building exudes a Victorian charm that is easily seen in its whitewashed structure. The hall in the building is used for yoga classes now.

“All units will be sold and we will retain some depending on the price.

“However, we have made it clear that the Vivekananda Ashram will be preserved, and the building will be stratified separately, and the developer has agreed,” said Ampikaipakan.

Ampikaipakan said the decision to sell was made as the board of trustee felt it would allow it to be able to better serve the community in the true spirit of Vivekananda’s teachings.

The trust owns and manages four schools — SJK (T) Vivekananda, Brickfields, the Vivekananda primary and secondary school in Kuala Lumpur and SJK (T) Thamboosamy Pillai in Sentul.

“People talk about the ashram’s symbolic value all the time, but the reality is we don’t even have the money to paint the building.

The century- old Vivekananda Ashram is dwarfed against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers.

“Our aim has always been focused on providing education. Under the trust, we support the children with tuition, transport and food. We also hope to start a breakfast programme,” Ampikaipakan said.

He added that the trust had also started music classes for children with subjects such as violin, veena, flute, mirdangam, tabla and Western music.

“We feel that these children, who come from poor families, need to be occupied with activities and they deserve a holistic education.

“The teachings of Vivekananda are all about developing the youth and education.

“Yoga and religion will not treat a man’s hunger and you can’t preach religion to a hungry man,” he added.

An artist’s impression of the 23- storey residential tower to be built above the Vivekananda Ashram.

While refusing to disclose the amount the trust would get from the sale of the land, Ampikaipakan said the money would be kept in a secured fund.

“It is a sizeable amount which we cannot disclose yet. We are only going to spend the income from that fund which will be enough to support all four schools. It will also probably allow us to give out some scholarships to outstanding students from our schools,” he said, adding that it was an incentive for future students who wanted to study in their schools.

On the ashram building itself, Ampikaipakan said it would be upgraded and they were looking at engaging architecture company.

“We are still brainstorming ideas for future activities. Currently, the hall in the ashram is not in use and we are in discussions with the Indian High Commisssion to see if we could organise a permament exhibition on the life of Swami Vivekananda, as well as open a small library.

“We are also mulling over setting up a performing arts venue,” he added.

A spiral staircase leading to the upper floor of the building. – Photos by S.S. KANESAN

Meanwhile, F3 Capital Sdn Bhd, who won the bid to develop the land, said it would provide enough parking bays for the development, in line with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) requirements.

“We will also surrender a sizeable portion of the land to City Hall to cater to any future road-widening projects,” F3 Capital chief executive officer Vignesh Naidu said.

“Bear in mind that the project is residential and not commercial, hence it will not attract traffic into the area.

The new development will cantilever over the Vivekananda ashram. The appointed architect of the project is the Veritas Design Group.

The trustee had previously tried to sell the land — the first time about 25 years ago, with another attempt 10 years ago for RM15mil. The then project had been aborted after public protests.

At the time, the board had defended its move, saying it wanted to buy a plot of land in Sungai Buloh to build a residential school.

Related story:

Building is an icon of historical value