Mussoorie Clock Tower to be dedicated to Tom Alter

Ever since his death, memorial meets have been held in Mussoorie and Dehradun where Tom’s friends, well-wishers and activists demanded that the Uttarakhand government acknowledge his tremendous contribution to not just cinema and theatre but also to the state.

DEHRADUN: In 2010, veteran actor Tom Alter had observed a ‘maun vrat’ (vow of silence) for 12 hours and carried out a sit-in to protest the demolition of Mussoorie’s iconic Clock Tower. Built by the British in the 1930s, the landmark structure was brought down by the local municipal board to pave the way for a new tower in its place. The board now plans to dedicate the upcoming Clock Tower to the Padma Shri awardee who passed away on September 29 in Mumbai.

Actor Tom Alter at a sit in protest against the demolition of Mussoorie’s iconic Clock Tower in 2010. (HT File)

“Tom was and will continue to be the pride of Mussoorie and we’d like to dedicate the underconstruction Clock Tower to Tom’s memory once it is ready,” Mussoorie municipal board chairman Manmohan Mall told Hindustan Times, recalling how the thespian had passionately protested against the demolition of the Clock Tower.

Ever since his death, memorial meets have been held in Mussoorie and Dehradun where Tom’s friends, well-wishers and activists demanded that the Uttarakhand government acknowledge his tremendous contribution to not just cinema and theatre but also to the state.

Mall said in view of the requests, the municipal body would write to the state government to name an under- construction sports stadium in the hill town after the noted actor, who was also an avid sports enthusiast.

Other demands from his friends include setting up of a theatre or a cultural centre in Alter’s memory and holding a full mountain marathon in Mussoorie, which was one of Alter’s cherished dreams. A memorial service is planned for the actor on October 7 at St Paul’s Church in Landour, where he had married Carol Evans in 1977.